The Problem of Evil and 5 Ways You Can Build Resilience to It

As Halloween approaches, decorations and products encouraging us to celebrate all things frightening and ghoulish fill the stores. It’s a time to reflect on the demonic and scary. We flock to movie theaters to watch tales of serial killers, demonic possessions, and other eerie stories of haunted things. We dress up as witches and monsters and send our kids door-to-door in horrifying costumes to collect candy. It’s a peculiar holiday when you stop to think about it.

This season has sparked some thoughts about our fascination with evil. Even in everyday life, we’re confronted with reports of brutal and savage acts—like the recent murders and attacks by terrorist groups. How can some people treat others with such cruelty, even seeming to relish it?

As a psychologist, I specialize in working with survivors of some of the darkest atrocities imaginable—sexual and physical abuse, rape, school shootings, and neglect. But despite this, evil still unsettles me. And yes, it scares me.

Evil is a complicated idea, difficult for many to comprehend. In studying evil, we gain valuable insights into the human experience, the depths of our capacity for both cruelty and kindness. An influential psychologist from the 1970s, Dr. Philip Zimbardo, revealed unsettling truths about evil in a now-infamous experiment. His work, though still referenced today, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. Zimbardo’s findings continue to offer insights, though with some important considerations. Let’s dive into both the “bad news” about evil, as well as what we can learn to cultivate resilience in the face of it.

The Bad News About Evil: It Lives in All of Us

In 1971, Dr. Philip Zimbardo conducted the Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) to study the psychological effects of power within a simulated prison setting. He randomly assigned college students to the roles of either guards or prisoners. Over the course of the experiment, the guards began exhibiting increasingly abusive behaviors toward the prisoners. These acts escalated from dehumanizing verbal abuse to physically and sexually humiliating the prisoners. Zimbardo’s shocking conclusion was that ordinary people, when placed in certain environments, are capable of behaviors they might never have imagined.

While Zimbardo’s findings were initially groundbreaking, recent revelations about the experiment have called into question its ethical rigor and conclusions. New research suggests that Zimbardo and his team were more involved in shaping the outcome than originally claimed. For example, Carlo Prescott, who consulted on the experiment, later admitted that the guards were coached to act abusively, meaning the behavior wasn’t as spontaneous as Zimbardo initially suggested. In addition, a 2024 documentary revealed manipulation and premeditation within the experiment, with participants expressing doubts about the authenticity of the conclusions drawn. These revelations complicate our understanding of Zimbardo’s findings, reminding us that even well-intentioned psychological studies can have flaws.

In a similar vein, we witnessed the abuse of detainees at Abu Ghraib prison by U.S. military personnel in 2004. These acts of sadistic torture were photographed and shared worldwide. Some of the images show soldiers grinning while Iraqi detainees suffer—an unsettling contrast to the image of "good soldiers."

The discovery of these crimes led to significant investigations. Zimbardo himself was called upon as an expert witness, where he argued that it was not simply “bad apples” who committed these acts, but a “bad barrel” —meaning the environment and circumstances had an immense influence on people’s behavior. This view highlighted how ordinary people, when placed in toxic, dehumanizing environments, may commit extraordinary acts of evil.

The Good News About Evil: You Can Choose Not to Listen

It’s a sobering thought that all of us possess the capacity for evil. Yet, there is hope. Zimbardo’s research also sheds light on how, under similar circumstances, some individuals act with great heroism instead of cruelty.

Take the example of Private Joe Darby, a U.S. soldier who, upon witnessing the abuse at Abu Ghraib, chose to blow the whistle. His decision to act against the evil he saw helped bring an end to the torture and launched investigations into the crimes. His courage highlights a fundamental truth: we all have the power to choose how we respond, even in the most harrowing circumstances.

Similarly, when Zimbardo himself watched the behavior of the guards in the Stanford Prison Experiment spiral out of control, he was initially desensitized to the cruelty. However, his girlfriend, Christina Maslach, visiting the experiment, was horrified by what she saw and demanded Zimbardo shut it down. She played a pivotal role in halting the experiment, reminding us that moral clarity often comes from those who step outside the situation and see it for what it truly is.

Both examples demonstrate that even in environments conducive to evil, we can choose heroism. The question is, how do we make those choices? The key lies in building resilience to evil and nurturing our sensitivity to goodness.

5 Ways to Build Resilience to Evil

1.     Practice Seeing Human Faces
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to see others as mere objects—checkout clerks, servers, or coworkers. Instead, practice recognizing their humanity. Make eye contact, smile, and use their names in conversation. Remember, they too have hopes, dreams, and challenges. A simple interaction can remind us of our shared humanity, even with those we may find difficult.

2.     Practice Gratitude
Gratitude isn’t just about feeling thankful—it’s linked to better physical health, improved mental well-being, and more compassionate behavior. Research shows that regularly practicing gratitude can reduce aggressive impulses when provoked. Make it a habit to express your gratitude to others and reflect on what you appreciate in your life.

3.     Be Aware of the Situation
Certain environments can encourage us to act selfishly or unkindly. Zimbardo’s experiment and the events at Abu Ghraib show how toxic situations can draw out the worst in us. Take stock of the environments in your life that drain your compassion and avoid them when possible. Protect your own well-being by choosing healthier surroundings.

4.     Look for the Helpers
In times of tragedy—whether a school shooting, a terrorist attack, or any large-scale disaster—news reports often focus on the negative. However, there are individuals who step up to help. Mr. Rogers encouraged the children watching his program to “look for the helpers” when they saw scary things on the news. In tragedy, there are always people who donate blood, provide comfort, or offer resources to the affected. In these moments, look for the helpers, and remind yourself of the good that can emerge from dark situations.

5.     Reframe Your Definition of a Hero
Heroes are not just those with superhuman abilities; they are everyday people who act courageously when they see something wrong. Heroes can be teachers who protect children from bullies, or workers in challenging environments who stand up for fairness. By broadening our understanding of heroism, we can cultivate these qualities in ourselves and others.

Final Thoughts

As Zimbardo’s research revealed, the environment and situation can significantly influence our behavior. But we also have the power to choose how we respond to that influence. We can build resilience to evil by making intentional choices that cultivate kindness and empathy. Let history teach us as we navigate today’s complex and often troubling world.

Remember Carl Rogers’ words: “When I look at the world, I am pessimistic, but when I look at people, I am optimistic.”

You, my friend, are capable of so much good. Now go do something with it.