It seems to me that this is the "rut" of the problem. But I can only "speak" for myself, not being a nihilist nor being despairing.
Dr. Wegner of Harvard said: “We worry that explaining evil condones it. We have to maintain our outrage at Hitler. But wouldn’t it be nice to have a theory of evil in advance that could keep him from coming to power?”
He added, “A system a bit more focused on helping people change rather than paying them back for what they’ve done might be a good thing.”
Again, speaking for myself, I think that the Dr has proposed a skeletal definition of evil. Because, in the final analysis, who defines "evil" or "good"(IOW, the Schickelgruber himself used that skeletal definition to derive the final solution.)
Well, you know Dr. Wegner, there's something out there if you'd just consider it. Only it's a person, not a *system*. Jesus can do what you think needs to be done. Problem is, it includes dying--- to self--- but it's not real popular and some people just can't handle that.
Claims of morality is sophistry without some singular higher power defining what it is...
Morality and all of its associated ideals are rooted entirely in the presupposition some higher power defines what is correct for human behavior.
But, since we are all properly obeying the * modern interpretation * of the First Amendment, good & evil isn't the question... Good & bad, right & wrong, etc., etc., ad nausea; are all inherently religious ideals.
The modern interpretation of the First Amendment (according to the liberal-tarians) says government must exorcise all traces of religion and theism from itself. Therefore, government must never consider issues of morality and right and wrong.
So, it becomes a question of benefits versus costs. Fetus killing has its benefits to society, especially if you like to sleep late on Saturdays. But it also has its costs as well. Society (by which I mean, whoever manages to seize power) needs to evaluate these costs and decide accordingly.
The mythical rights of men and women are also meaningless. The very concept of rights is also founded in religion. Since the enlightened person is freed from any superstitions about some "God," they are free from having to worry about "rights." Only raw power counts and humans are just meat puppets for the powerful... Excuse my sarcasm...