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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jeremy Ackerman-Yost" data-source="post: 415820" data-attributes="member: 4720">That's exactly what I'm getting at.  We all have different "definitions" of the word vile.  Looking in a dictionary isn't going to change that, because a) there are often multiple definitions in the silly thing and b) most people will accept the dictionary definition, but the connotations the word carries to them skew it to the point that there's very little commonality left.So, here's the dictionary definition...vile:1) Loathsome; disgusting: vile language. 2) Unpleasant or objectionable: vile weather. 3) a) Contemptibly low in worth or account; second-rate.      b) Of mean or low condition. 4) Miserably poor and degrading; wretched: a vile existence. 5) Morally depraved; ignoble or wicked: a vile conspiracy.Alright, let's assume we all agreed that 1) Loathsome; disgusting was the definition that we agreed on.  Alright, what do you find loathsome and disgusting?  I bet it's not exactly the same thing that I do, or that ladyofdragons does.  So now we have to define our terms again...Loathsome: Arousing loathing; abhorrent. Synonyms: offensiveWell, that didn't get us anywhere at all.  "Offensive"?  That's defined entirely by where you stand.  "Abhorrent"?  As in viscerally repulsive, or morally repulsive?  Are those the same thing?  Not always.So, I don't think we're really capable of comonality in defining our terms in any way that we'll all agree with on charged issues like this.That's why I was "polling the poll" so to speak, just to see how definitions matched up to responses.  I don't want to argue about it, I just want to see if there are correspondences.I'm actually beginning to suspect that there won't be, but now I've gone and contaminated the test.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" />I tend to agree with the other thread in that arguing about the nature of evil is pointless, I think it's interesting to hear what other people think of as truly evil.  Gives me perspective.  Especially considering how extreme my views tend to be on the subject.</blockquote>

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