Hi David,

Thank you for your detailed comments on my article. I find them very helpful. I will definitely read the book you recommend.

I see that you are writing from a more sociological perspective than I am. You are also reiterating ideas that I learned about studying critical theories in graduate school. Whenever I took a course in these theories, I always found myself disagreeing with thinkers like Judith Butler and Michel Foucault about how power works in society. Perhaps my background in traditional, classic literature and lack of background in sociology prevented me from fully appreciating their theories.

I am a firm believer in the concept of genetically determined human nature. Thinkers like Noam Chomsky and Steven Pinker also support this idea. I would direct you to Pinker's book on human nature.

What I call evil, which you correctly note that I do not properly define in my article, is the instinct for aggression and violence that precludes empathy. We all have the potential for this, but sociolpaths and psychopaths take these tendencies to extremes. Such people are often leaders in society and thus have undue influence on ordinary citizens.

I also believe that the human desire for status is innate. But of course different societal structures can exaggerate or mute this tendency.

So we really do look at the problems of society from very different perspectives.

But it is always illuminating to discuss and debate these issues.

Thank you again for your thoughtful response.