I don't understand, are you suggesting that the "but-for" cause is group-think? If so, do these group-thinkers have brains? If so, I'm suggesting that their brains are broken and folks with broken brains are typically the reason for their own demise. In other words, I think they're more of a threat to themselves. I'm not afraid of evil.
I was just presenting the OP as how I understood it. Which is how it seems society operates (from their perspective, and they are not alone). Group think is a major factor, in everything. Ever heard of the
bystander effect? People are social animals, before they are individuals usually. Meaning even the most independent, socially avoidant person will be affected by peer pressure. (unless of course, they are psychopathic)
I personally don't believe in evil as an actual force, and that everyone has potential "evil" (by definition) in them. It's ridiculous to fear one side, and see it in black and white. It is also bad to demonize the other side. NO ONE thinks they are evil. Everyone thinks they are good. When people learn to accept that, they will realize what being human really is. People need to realize even the worse people, could be them under the right circumstances.
If you try to define "Evil", what do you get? From what I can tell, it is people who act without remorse, generally for their own benefit. But so do good people. They easily condemn, hurt, or kill people they think are "Bad". So the only real defining factor in my eyes, is perspective. I think the worse type of people, are those who commit acts of violence mindlessly. They do not know the weight of their actions, as they cannot cognitively understand them. When one doesn't even understand their own actions, how can they repent?