The genesis of evil and ponerology: pathologies, institutions, and the veiling of harm

This paper explores the interdisciplinary science of ponerology, developed by Andrzej Łobaczewski, as a framework for analyzing the origins, mechanisms, and diffusion of evil. Moving beyond traditional moralistic or theological treatments, ponerology employs psychological, sociological, and medical analogies to conceptualize evil as a natural and social pathology. It introduces key concepts such as ponerogenesis (the genesis of evil), hysterization (the collective spread of irrationality), and pathocracy (the rule of pathological elites). These processes demonstrate how individual disorders and pathological traits can infiltrate institutions, distort ideologies, and ultimately shape macrosocial systems of domination. The paper situates Łobaczewski’s theory alongside contributions from Hannah Arendt, Zygmunt Bauman, Jeffrey C. Alexander, and Davide Costa, highlighting the complementarity of pathological, structural, and cultural approaches. Emphasis is given to the notion of “veiled evil,” which underscores the hidden and normalized ways in which harm permeates everyday practices, ideologies, and institutions. While ponerology offers an innovative vocabulary and causal framework, its limitations include a tendency to overemphasize psychopathy and a lack of empirical validation. The study concludes that integrating ponerology with broader interdisciplinary perspectives is essential for a comprehensive understanding of systemic destructiveness. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of unveiling the subtle mechanisms of evil in order to foster resilience, social immunology, and preventive strategies against destructive forces.