Full Idea
Four inadequate explanations of human evil attribute it to natural causes, moral monsters, uncharacteristic actions, and corrupting social conditions.
Gist of Idea
Evil isn't explained by nature, by monsters, by uncharacteristic actions, or by society
Source
John Kekes (The Human Condition [2010], 06.3)
A Reaction
He is addressing the 'secular problem of evil', which arises if you assume that human beings are essentially good, and then look around you. He says evil explains corrupting social conditions, so we can't be circular about it.
Book Reference
Kekes,John: 'The Human Condition' [OUP 2010], p.122