By definition, evil is a moral wrong that causes harm. Who does the term "evil" apply to? There is only one living thing that it can refer to and that is a human. Evil is a moral wrong created from three of the human's traits. The characteristics jealousy, greed and the violent subconscious are the causes for evil.

Jealousy is a common incentive for wickedness since all humans experience the drive from envy. For example, jealousy can cause murder. A covetous wife may take the life of her husband's girlfriend. Jealousy can also cause relatively "minor" evils. A co-worker may be envious of his colleague's success and speak ill of him. Both examples show moral wrongs caused by human behaviour.

Greed is a major stimulus for human wrongdoing. The thought of power and money has driven many people to commit malevolent crimes. A person may rob a bank in hopes of becoming rich while millions of people go to war against each other in search of power and wealth. A prime example is the World War II when the Nazi government fought for the dream of becoming powerful. A great part of evils committed in this world is motivated by rapacity.

Unfortunately, the most horrific immoralities are caused by the humans' violent subliminals. Humans are born hunters and possess a violent instinct, whether we know it or not. Slavery is an example. It started thousands of years ago while the masters loved the control and the pain they exerted over the slaves. The idea of torture has also sprung from our violent minds. This is best quoted by Coetzee in his book, Waiting for the Barbarians. He mentions that in torture, pressure is exerted even after the truth is told. Why do you need that extra pressure? Is it for the amusement of the torturer? The violent subconscious is at work.

Evil is a human wrong. It springs from jealousy, greed and violence. We can not change the traits nature has given us. However, shall we control it or manifest evil as many have done"