Page 79 of Evil Bones
“Ah. The underappreciated ‘soft sciences.’?” I hooked air quotes.
“What do you mean?” Meloy’s brows dipped.
“Don’t get me wrong, much of anthropology falls into that category.But at least biological anthro allows one to measure and weigh and photograph one’s subjects. The scientific method. Hard data. That’s why the subfield attracted me.”
“One can formulate and test hypotheses with psychology.”
“You’re right. Maybe what I mean is one can’t structure experiments and manipulate variables with humans the way one can with animals.”
“I’m not sure I agree.”
Not wanting the conversation to grow contentious, I shifted subjects. “Want to give me your two-minute elevator pitch?” I asked.
“Seriously?” The whole boyish face lit up. “You’re really interested?”
“Of course.” I wasn’t. But the guy was so enthused I couldn’t say no.
“I’m a Dante nut.”
“Dante Alighieri, as in,The Divine Comedy?”
“Exactly. I’m fascinated by Dante’s ranking of a society’s view of evil. What’s absolutely evil, what’s fairly evil, what’s maybe not so bad. And specifically, how those views change over time.”
Seeing my expression, undoubtedly one of confusion, Meloy continued.
“TheInferno, the first book of theDivine Comedywas written in 1310. In it, Dante lays out his vision of hell. His Inferno. That vision was inspired by biblical references to the seven deadly sins.”
“From the book of Proverbs,” I said.
“Man, your aunt knows her stuff.” The comment was directed to Ruthie, but Meloy’s eyes held on me.
“Pride, envy, greed, sloth, lust, anger, and gluttony,” Ruthie reeled off.
“You two are amazing,” Meloy said flopping back in his chair.
“Credit all those Bible courses I was forced to endure as a kid,” said Ruthie. She sounded a little miffed at the turn the conversation had taken.
“Have you begun writing?” I asked Meloy.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Fun times,” I said.
“Oh, yeah.” Rolling his eyes. Which were an odd dusky-gray flecked with olive.
We both laughed.
Meloy’s mention of evil had taken me back to my recent conversation with Adina Kumar.
“I have a friend who studies evil,” I said.
“Is he a psychologist?”
“She is.”
“My research probably skews in a different direction than hers. I’m not concerned with defining evil. Or explaining its causes. Or preventing it. My focus is on the public perception of evil and how that perception changes over time. How does a society classify an act as evil? Based on what criteria? Does beating a helpless dog qualify? Sexually assaulting a nun? Imprisoning a child in some creepy underground chamber?”
“It’s sooo hard to find creepy underground chambers these days.” Ruthie’s comment was delivered with a joking waggle of both hands.
