In a world where we are bombarded daily by tales of wrongdoing, one particular act of evil often slips under the radar—an act so insidious, so profoundly unethical, that it shakes the very foundations of human decency. I’m talking, of course, about the act of not picking up your dog’s poop. You may think I’m exaggerating, but let me assure you, this seemingly minor transgression is a manifestation of a much deeper moral failure—a failure rooted not in the heat of passion, but in the cold, calculated abyss of malicious indifference.
The Banality of Evil: The Poop That Lies Beneath
Hannah Arendt, in her exploration of the nature of evil, introduced the concept of the “banality of evil,” suggesting that the most horrifying acts are often committed not by monsters, but by ordinary people simply going about their business. There’s something eerily similar at play when a person chooses to leave their dog’s feces festering on the sidewalk. It’s not a crime of passion, nor is it an impulsive act of desperation. No, this is a deliberate decision, made with full awareness of the consequences and yet, with a total disregard for them.
This act embodies the banality of evil in its purest form. The perpetrator knows that by not picking up the poop, they are imposing their own mess onto others. They know that this act will bring inconvenience, disgust, and perhaps even a ruined shoe to some innocent passerby. And yet, they simply do not care. This indifference, this utter lack of concern for the well-being of others, is what makes this act so profoundly evil.
Malicious Indifference: The Heart of the Crime
What makes this act of leaving dog poop so much more heinous than other misdeeds is that it stems not from a momentary lapse in judgment or a surge of uncontrollable emotion, but from a place of cold, calculated indifference. The dog owner has the means to do the right thing—a bag, a hand, a simple act of bending down—but chooses not to. This choice is made with a level of detachment that can only be described as malicious indifference.
Philosophers have long debated the nature of evil, often distinguishing between crimes of passion—those driven by intense emotion—and crimes committed with clear-headed deliberation. While crimes of passion are often seen as understandable, if not excusable, the true evil lies in acts committed without such emotional motivation. It’s the difference between stealing bread to feed a starving family and embezzling funds for personal gain. The former may be driven by necessity, the latter by a deliberate choice to disregard the well-being of others.
Not picking up your dog’s poop falls squarely into the latter category. It’s a choice made not out of necessity or even desire, but out of a complete and utter disregard for the impact of one’s actions on others. It’s a small, everyday evil, but one that reflects a much larger failure of moral character.
The Ripple Effect: How One Act of Indifference Can Corrupt Society
One might argue that leaving a bit of dog poop on the sidewalk is hardly the worst thing a person can do. After all, no one is physically harmed, no laws are broken, and the offending material will eventually be washed away by rain. But this argument misses the larger point: acts of malicious indifference, no matter how small, contribute to a broader culture of disregard for others.
When a person leaves their dog’s mess behind, they send a message that their comfort, their convenience, is more important than the well-being of others. This small act of selfishness contributes to a culture where it becomes acceptable to ignore the needs and rights of others, where the pursuit of personal convenience trumps all else.
Imagine a society where everyone operated with such indifference. The sidewalks would become impassable, relationships would be strained, and the social fabric that holds communities together would begin to fray. The seemingly small act of not picking up after a dog is a microcosm of larger societal decay, a signal that we are willing to let our public spaces—and our shared responsibility—deteriorate for the sake of personal ease.
Conclusion: The Call to Moral Vigilance
In the grand scheme of moral philosophy, it’s easy to dismiss the act of leaving dog poop behind as trivial. But it is precisely because this act is so small, so seemingly insignificant, that it reveals the true nature of the perpetrator’s moral compass. It’s a choice that speaks volumes about their character—a choice to act with malicious indifference, rather than compassion or responsibility.
The next time you see a pile of unclaimed dog poop, don’t just shake your head in disgust. Recognize it for what it is: a sign of the silent, creeping evil of indifference that threatens to undermine our communities. And if you’re the one holding the leash, remember that the simple act of picking up after your dog isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s about affirming your place in the social contract, about rejecting the banality of evil, and about choosing, in a small but significant way, to be a force for good.
ncalberts.com 