Evil is knowingly causing harm—harm to humans, animals, or the environment. It is saying or doing something with the intention of hurting another.
We live in an age where evil people are no longer called evil; they are called sick. Serial killers are no longer evil—they are just sick. The child rapist is no longer evil—just sick.
We should not confuse the feeling of sickness we experience when witnessing evil with the nature of the act itself. Evil has not disappeared. It is still here, and changing the label does not change the reality.
And so, if no one is called evil anymore, we fail to recognize when we ourselves act in evil ways. And we do. Part of growing up is taking responsibility for the harm we cause. When we intentionally hurt others to get ahead, it is evil. We need to call it what it is.