4.1.1 Life Thread One - Important influences - M. Scott Peck on the nature of evil

 

One of the greatest influences in my understanding of evil was M. Scott Peck.

Scott Peck’s exploration of evil in People of the Lie and The Road Less Traveled delves deeply into the psychology behind destructive human behavior. He characterizes evil as a "malignant self-righteousness," where individuals actively refuse to acknowledge imperfection and project their guilt onto scapegoats—often their own children or innocent others. These "People of the Lie" maintain a façade of normality and respectability, using consistent self-deception and manipulation. Peck describes this form of evil as a complex of malignant narcissism, where empathy is replaced by the instrumentalization of others for personal gain, and guilt is deflected onto others to preserve an image of moral superiority.

Peck identifies specific traits among individuals he considers "evil": compulsive self-deception, selective abuse of specific targets while maintaining a semblance of kindness toward others, and a staunch refusal to introspect or accept responsibility for the harm they cause. His patient Charlene exemplifies this, treating others as objects to manipulate while incapable of real empathy.

In his analysis, Peck distinguishes between those on a trajectory toward evil—characterized by moral cowardice and denial of responsibility—and those irredeemably committed to it, who consistently manipulate and control others. He discusses group evil as well, using the My Lai massacre to illustrate how group dynamics and role specialization can dilute individual morality and shift personal responsibility.

Peck’s work represents a blend of psychology and moral philosophy, challenging readers to confront the mechanisms of evil within and around them. By framing evil as a choice toward self-deception and power rather than growth, he suggests that each individual faces a moral crossroads, where choosing integrity over self-righteousness is a path toward greater spiritual alignment.

Nowhere are these 'malignant self-righteous' traits more evident than in the operation of the civil service in Jersey; they actively refuse to acknowledge their own imperfection, they will never admit they have erred. They represent true evil.