The papers collected in this volume were first presented at the 11th Global Conference Perspectives on Evil and Human Wickedness, which took place in Salzburg (Austria) in March 2010 and is a part of the research network Inter-Disciplinary.Net.

Aestheticization of evil is a frequently used formula in cinema and television. However, the representation of evil as an aesthetic object pushes it out of morality. Moral judgments can be pushed aside when evil is aestheticized in movies or TV series because there is no real victim. Thus, situations such as murder or war can become a source of aesthetic pleasure. Narratives in cinema and television can sometimes be based on a simple good-evil dichotomy and sometimes they can be based on individual or social experiences of evil and follow a more complicated method. Despite the various ways evil is depicted, it is a moral framework in film and television that must be researched to study the implications of aestheticized evil on human nature and society. International Perspectives on Rethinking Evil in Film and Television examines the changing representations of evil on screen in the context of the commonness, normalization, aestheticization, marginalization, legitimization, or popularity of evil. The chapters provide an international perspective of the representations of evil through an exploration of the evil tales or villains in cinema and television. Through looking at these programs, this book highlights topics such as the philosophy of good and evil, the portrayal of heroes and villains, the appeal of evil, and evil’s correspondence with gender and violence. This book is ideal for sociologists, professionals, researchers and students working or studying in the field of cinema and television and practitioners, academicians, and anyone interested in the portrayal and aestheticization of evil in international film and television.

This book deals directly with the characteristics of the relationships that the leader builds in the context of the work environment. It argues that the prevailing work community work culture is intended to help the leader lead but, increasingly it impedes the leader’s work. Leadership is a function of the leader’s values, attitudes, and aspirations: leadership flows from the leader’s spiritual character-defining core essence. However, the author argues that cultural forces coming from both inside and outside the workplace, often designed to promote diversity, inclusivity, and tolerance, have introduced into the work culture values and behavior that are pathological to executing effective leadership and detrimental to the health of work communities. While attractive on the surface, these new values are toxic to the idea of relationship and thus threaten the work community culture, in effect "killing leadership." This book will arm leaders with the tools, resources, and techniques to recognize and overcome workplace pathologies. After reading this book, leaders will: have a complete understanding of the key principles of spirit-based values leadership see clearly that the leader’s values shape both the leader’s one-on-one relationships with coworkers and are at the center of the work culture they create to re-enforce coworker actions and decisions appreciate more fully the power of the ambient work culture to influence coworkers toward leader set values and methods guiding the work community know the toxic effect on doing leadership of introducing non-work values and standards into the work community culture understand the arguments against allowing subgroups of the work community to form and practice values opposed to the values the leader has set for the full group be better prepared to deal with the consequences of encountering evil, hatred and/or fear in the workplace realize that not all coworkers are uniformly honest and truthful and learn ways to counter this behavior and still accomplish the work community’s goals and ensure its productivity The result is a pragmatic approach to aligning values, behaviors, and performance, while enhancing the principles of effective and positive leadership throughout the organization.

This is the first book tackling the topic of world suffering. It compiles in one place the ideas, perspectives, and findings of researchers from around the world who pioneered research-based understanding of human suffering. Some chapters use the paradigm of ‘quality of life’ to explore ways to enhance knowledge on suffering. Other chapters show how concepts and knowledge from suffering research can benefit studies on quality of life. By bringing together in one volume, ideas and research experience from the best minds and leading researchers in the fields of pain, suffering, poverty, deprivation, disability and quality of life (including well-being and happiness), this volume advances social science solutions to a number of major threads of research, most notably suffering. As a whole, the volume advances the fields of suffering and deprivation by suggesting a working typology of suffering and by pointing out the major paradigms for relief of suffering, such as humanitarianism, human rights, caring, and healing. This volume provides a wealth of insights about the interaction between suffering and quality of life, the most up-to-date characterization of worldwide suffering, and a grasp of the implications of these data for local and global policy on health and social well-being.

Discover the hidden underbelly of organizational behavior in this thought-provoking edited volume, Organizational Behavior - Negative Aspects. Delving into the darker dimensions of the workplace, this book explores the detrimental aspects that impact individuals, teams, and entire organizations. From the elusive "Dark Triad" to counterproductive workplace behaviors and the perils of technostress, a wide range of topics are covered to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges organizations face. Fear's crushing impact on organizational culture and the unexplored realms of leadership expectations further challenge conventional notions. The negative aspects of teacher burnout and its profound effects on educational institutions highlight the urgency of addressing this issue. With insightful perspectives and evidence-based recommendations, this collection offers a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of negative organizational behavior. Whether you are a scholar, a manager, or simply curious about the intricacies of organizational dynamics, this book will broaden your understanding and inspire meaningful change. Join us on this journey as we uncover the hidden side of organizational behavior and pave the way towards healthier, more productive workplaces.

The Routledge International Handbook of Charisma provides an unprecedented multidimensional and multidisciplinary comparative analysis of the phenomenon of charisma – first defined by Max Weber as the irrational bond between deified leader and submissive follower. It includes broad overviews of foundational theories and experiences of charisma and of associated key issues and themes. Contributors include 45 influential international scholars who approach the topic from different disciplinary perspectives and utilize examples from an array of historical and cultural settings. The Handbook presents up-to-date, concise, thought-provoking, innovative, and informative perspectives on charisma as it has been expressed in the past and as it continues to be manifested in the contemporary world by leaders ranging from shamans to presidents. It is designed to be essential reading for all students, researchers, and general readers interested in achieving a comprehensive understanding of the power and potential of charismatic authority in all its varieties, subtleties, dynamics, and current and potential directions.

Superhero films are one of the most enduring genres of cinema, and their popularity is only increasing in the 21st century. These ten critical essays explore the phenomenon through the lenses of numerous academic disciplines, and cover topics such as the role of globalization in the formation of superhero narratives, the shifting nature of masculinity and femininity in the superhero world and the state of the genre today. Of particular interest is the way these narratives, however fantastic, abstract, futuristic or simplistic, resonate with specific events in the world and function as starting points for discussion of contemporary sociopolitical conflicts.