EVIL
An important book on evil as a psychiatric reality is: The People of the Lie by Psychiatrist Scott Peck. He suggests a personality disorder which he simply calls evil characterized by the following four elements: a. Consistent destructive, scapegoating behavior, which may often be quite subtle. b. Excessive, albeit usually covert, intolerance to criticism and other forms of narcissistic injury. c. Pronounced concern with a public image and self-image of respectability, contributing to a stability of life-style but also to pretentiousness and denial of hateful feelings or vengeful motives. d. Intellectual deviousness, with an increased likelihood of a mild schizopheniclike disturbance of thinking at times of stress. A powerful and disturbing book — but one that every minister should read.
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