Not much in that article is based on well-reasoned, competent thought. The author's musings sound curiously like those of a budding madman.

As usual, a brilliant and wonderful essay by Mr. Dalrymple. "Just some dude", if you have nothing useful to say, why comment at all?

At some point early in human development, we each get the spark of life. We are alive. It's as if our bodes have captured some passing energy which now drives our soul.

What if that energy was bad? The universe seems to be full of opposing forces. Why shouldn't those forces be naturally represented in people as good and evil?

(it would explain the first commenter above)

 Another brilliant article by Dr Dalyrymple. justsomedude's comment is incomprehensible to me. The article seemed to be the very opposite of his description.

I work with criminal offenders and the one poisoner I have worked with is the most unrepentant hypocrite person I have worked with so far, bar one other person who was not a murderer. And this is after 20 years of prison. Yet, we have to let that person out, that's the way it works. Very well mannered, well combed, if this person goes out on the street, others will see only a regular, vulnerable aged individual and yet, the evil is there to be seen and heard by whoever explores this person's thinking and past actions.

Great article,

There is actually a biographical film about the life of Graham Young which I would recommend (I forget what it's called unfortunately). I believe it was reconsructed from his sister's diary.

The peculiar thing about life is that many people have great lives and turn out to be mean while others, who have awful lives, turn out to be lovely.

I really disagree with the vast majority of psychiatrists whom I've asked about this who, for one reason or another, believe that evil people are made rather than born.

With regard to opening line which states: "...whatever those who claim to hate the sinner but love the sin may say..." Sorry to be so dense, but is it not supposed to be the other way round? As: "those who claim to hate the sin but love the sinner"?

A study of psychopaths reveals time and time again that despite completely normal and in many cases very caring and compassionate family support they develop harmfull, hurtfull and cruel traits. Inexplicable as it may be,  it seems that in many cases they are born and not made evil.