As I have written in other essays, the Dungeons & Dragons alignment system is surprisingly useful for categorizing people in the real world. This time I will look at chaotic evil.
In fantasy games, players often encounter chaotic evil foes—these include classic enemies ranging from the lowly goblin to the terrifyingly powerful demon lord. Chaotic evil foes are usually good choices for those who write adventures—no matter what alignment the party happens to be, almost no one has a problem with killing chaotic evil creatures. Especially other chaotic evil creatures. Fortunately, chaotic evil is not as common in the actual world as it is in game world. In the game system, chaotic evil is defined as follows:
A chaotic evil character is driven entirely by her own anger and needs. She is thoughtless in her actions and acts on whims, regardless of the suffering it causes others.
In many ways, a chaotic evil character is pinned down by her inherent nature to be unpredictable. She is like a spreading fire, a coming storm, an untested sword blade. An extreme chaotic evil character tends to find similarly minded individuals to be with—not out of any need for company, but because there is a familiarity in this chaos, and she relishes the opportunity to be true to her nature with others who share that delight.
The chaotic evil person differs from the lawful evil person in their view of law. While they are both evil, the lawful evil person is committed to order, tradition and hierarchy. As such, lawful evil types can create, lead and live in organized states (and all real-world states have lawful evil aspects). They can get along with others. In contrast, chaotic evil types have no commitment to order, tradition or hierarchy. But they can be compelled. For example, if the threat of punishment is sufficient, a chaotic evil type will obey those with greater power. Chaotic evil types do like order, tradition and hierarchy in the same way that arsonists like things that burn—without these things, the chaotic evil type would have much less to destroy.
Lawful evil types do often find chaotic evil types useful for specific tasks, although those wise about evil are aware of the dangers of using such tools. For example, a well-organized terrorist group or corporation might have lawful evil leadership. However, they will find many uses for the chaotic evil types. A lawful evil type is generally not likely to strap on an explosive vest and run into a crowd, but a chaotic evil person might. Lawful evil types also sometimes need people to create chaos so that they can then impose more order—the chaotic evil are the right people for this job. But, as noted, chaotic evil people can get out of hand—they are not constrained by order or even rational selfishness. This is why the smart lawful evil types do their best to see to it that the chaotic evil types do not outlive their usefulness.
The chaotic evil person differs from the neutral evil person in terms of their view of chaos. While the chaotic evil and neutral evil are both selfish and care nothing for others, the neutral evil person tends to be more rational and calculating in her selfishness. A neutral evil person can have excellent self-control and conceal her true nature to achieve her selfish and evil ends. Chaotic evil types lack that self-control and find it hard to conceal their true nature—that takes a discipline that the chaotic, by their nature, lack. President Trump provides an excellent real-world example of a chaotic evil person, although his followers might envision him as awful good.
The neutral evil see society as having instrumental value for them—but their selfishness means that they will take actions that can destroy society. The chaotic evil person sees no value in society other than as presenting a target rich environment for their evil. In our world, chaotic evil types tend to be those who commit horrific crimes, endeavor to corrupt and destroy nations, or engage in acts of brutal terror.
While chaotic evil types are chaotic and evil, they can take up the mantle of a cause and purport to be acting for some greater good. However, their actions disprove their claims about their alleged commitment to anything good. They might take up a religious or political cause to assuage whatever shreds of conscience they might still retain—or do so as part of their chaotic game.
In an orderly society that does not need the chaotic evil people to do evil tasks, smarter chaotic evil types try to hide from the authorities—though their nature drives them to commit evil. Those that are less clever commit their misdeeds and are quickly caught. The cleverer might never be caught and become legends. Fortunately for the chaotic evil (and unfortunately for everyone else), they have plenty of opportunities to act on their alignment. There are always organizations that are happy to have them and there are always places where they can act in accord with their true natures—often with the support and blessings of the authority. In the end, though many are willing to make use of their morality, no rational person wants the chaotic evil around.
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