NECESSARY EVIL Meaning and
Definition
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Necessary evil is a term used to describe something that is undesirable or negative, yet essential or indispensable in certain circumstances or contexts. It refers to a situation or action that is deemed unpleasant or morally objectionable, but is believed to be needed to achieve a greater overall good, prevent a worse outcome, or maintain stability or balance.
The term often arises when describing actions, policies, systems, or decisions that, while unsavory or disadvantageous, are considered necessary for the functioning, survival, or progress of a particular entity or society at large. It implies the acceptance of an imperfect solution or compromise, acknowledging that there may not be a better alternative available.
The concept of necessary evil can be subjective, as what one person sees as essential, another may see as unnecessary or unjust. It can encompass various domains, such as politics, economics, warfare, law enforcement, or personal ethics, illustrating situations where difficult choices or trade-offs need to be made to address complex problems or serve the greater good.
Ultimately, the concept of necessary evil underscores the recognition that certain undesirable actions or situations may be required in order to prevent or mitigate even worse outcomes, highlighting the intricate moral and practical dilemmas that humans encounter when confronted with the complexities of life.
Common Misspellings for NECESSARY EVIL
- becessary evil
- mecessary evil
- jecessary evil
- hecessary evil
- nwcessary evil
- nscessary evil
- ndcessary evil
- nrcessary evil
- n4cessary evil
- n3cessary evil
- nexessary evil
- nevessary evil
- nefessary evil
- nedessary evil
- necwssary evil
- necsssary evil
- necdssary evil
- necrssary evil
- nec4ssary evil
- nec3ssary evil
Etymology of NECESSARY EVIL
The word "necessary" comes from the Latin word "necessarius", meaning "indispensable" or "unavoidable", which is derived from "necessitas", meaning "need" or "compulsion". The word "evil" comes from the Old English word "yfel", which is related to the Old High German "ubil" and the Gothic "ubils", all meaning "bad" or "wicked". The word "evil" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*ubilaz".
The phrase "necessary evil" is believed to have emerged in the late 16th century, combining the adjective "necessary" with the noun "evil" to describe something unpleasant or morally objectionable that is nevertheless required or unavoidable in achieving a desired outcome.
Idioms with the word NECESSARY EVIL
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a necessary evil
The idiom "a necessary evil" refers to something or someone that is undesirable or unpleasant but cannot be avoided due to its essential or indispensable nature in achieving a particular goal, outcome, or benefit.
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necessary evil
A necessary evil is something that is undesirable or unpleasant, but required or needed in order to achieve a specific goal or end result.
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