It seems that the most common support for the idea of women being attracted to evil lies in the attractiveness of the Dark Triad. For those unfamiliar with it, the Dark Triad is a set of three traits, which are: Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy. Here is how wikipedia describes them:
The narcissistic personality (in the clinical sense) is characterized by a grandiose self-view, a sense of entitlement, lack of empathy, and egotism. Some theories, such as those of Heinz Kohut, associate it with the protection of a radically weak, shamed, or damaged self.[8]
The Machiavellian personality is characterized by manipulation and exploitation of others, with a cynical disregard for morality and a focus on self-interest and deception.[9]
The psychopathic personality is characterized by impulsive thrill-seeking, and in its “primary” form by selfishness, callousness, lack of personal affect, superficial charm, and remorselessness.
Looking at each of them, it is easy to see how they are amoral at best, and outright inclined towards evil at worst. The whole package together seems to be custom made for conducting evil.
Roissy, who often preaches the importance of extreme confidence, is one of those who especially likes to beat the drum of the Dark Triad traits. The reason is simple: they work. Many women do seem to be attracted to men who display these characteristics.
Of course, plenty of “Bad Boys” are able to attract women without resorting to the full measure of the Dark Triad. But when you peel away the layers you start to see some similarities between their methods and the practitioners of the Dark Triad.
Turning the Power On
Look back at the descriptions of those Dark Triad traits, and then look at the Power attribute again. Notice anything? The Dark Triad is all about Power. Narcissism is about confidence taken to its extreme. Machiavellianism features assertiveness and the exercise of Will unbound by social chains. Psychopathy encompasses dominance and a commanding, to the point of frightening, presence. A man who exercises the Dark Triad is a man who screams Masculine Power to any woman who catches sight of him. This is because the Dark Triad traits don’t hold back, they doesn’t restrain themselves, they represent an exercise of Power that is breathtaking in its forthrightness.
Remember, attraction is amoral. It is based on set biological cues which we have little to no control over, whether we are men or women. Is the exercise of the Dark Triad evil? Probably. Does it attract most women? Undoubtedly. But it isn’t the evil of the Dark Triad that attracts women. Rather, it is the fact that it gives off signals which women interpret to mean an abundance of Masculine Power. Women don’t know why they are attracted to it, there is no conscious choice involved. Their subconscious can only discern that a man with the Dark Triad traits is confident, assertive and dominant to a point to overshadows nearly everyone else. This is translated to mean that he must be the Alpha male of the group, otherwise he couldn’t/wouldn’t act in a such a way. And that trips all of the necessary triggers in a woman’s mind to make him seem attractive to her.
For “Bad Boys”, similar dynamics are at play. A Bad Boy is by definition someone who breaks the rules, who stands alone. Again, this screams confidence, assertiveness and all of the other aspects of Power. In a healthy society men who show these traits but who are actually dangerous (as Bad Boys are) would be weeded out. They would be killed, imprisoned (permanently) or exiled. Unhappily, we don’t live in a healthy society. And even more unfortunately, the female subconscious doesn’t realize this either. So women see men who demonstrate traits that would otherwise indicate suitability as mates, and fall for them accordingly.
Black and White
It is not evil that attracts women, it is the fruit of powerful, unrestrained evil: Dominance, Confidence, Assertiveness, Mastery. These are all intoxicating to the female mind; they ensnare the senses and reason. Do women fall for weak, sniveling cretins? Of course not. They are drawn to strength, to Power. “Weak evil” is no more attractive than “weak good.” The reason why so many women are drawn to evil is because it is so much more common to find “strong evil” than “strong good” in the present age. Women cannot help but be drawn to strength, no more than the moth can resist the flame.
Is this a flaw in our species? Of that, there can be no doubt. But on the other hand, it is a flaw that can be controlled for, assuming society has the Will to do so. Sadly, ours doesn’t. In the immortal words of Spaceballs:
Good is Dumb.