Dear Drabsv,
I was adopted and brought up in a loving home. We attended church whenever services were offered. My father owned a general merchandise store and gave food and supplies to anyone who couldn't afford them. My mother was a school teacher and gave of herself to all her students, the school, parents, etc., always there to give a helping hand. I only saw good in my life and in the world around me. I didn't know evil on earth, only what was taught in the Bible regarding the devil and his wily ways. I realize that was a very simplistic, idyllic life, but evil was not necessary or a reason for good. Good just "was."
Not that we shouldn't fight evil in all ways we can, but one's intentions should be of a pure nature, not self-serving. The "good" is not as recognizable as when I grew up, and "evil" has manifested itself exponentially. One the consequence of the other? Today, I'm afraid too many people claim to fight evil in order to appear or claim to be good, not knowing what true "good" is. This is true of freedom-fighters as well as terrorists. Most terrorists believe they are doing "good" because of their own religious beliefs. Those of their sect would probably agree. Those fighting terrorists believe they are doing "good." Therefore, in a philosophical sense, both good and evil, like beauty, is in the eye (or heart) of the beholder.
True evil-doers, like terrorists and sadists, have no nobility in themselves. Nobility requires a high moral standard, and no evil should be required for reasonable men and women to appreciate good.