Rachel Evans
The origin of evil is a highly contested topic in Catholic theology. Evil, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is the absence of good, and thus, there is no summum malum or positive source of evil. Instead, evil is subjective and relative to other things. Moral evil arises from error and can be minimized through individual reformation and redirection of the will. Physical evil, on the other hand, is natural harm. While some argue that the existence of evil disproves the existence of God, Catholic doctrine asserts that God's omnipotence, omniscience, and goodness allow for human free will, which can choose between good and evil. Evil, therefore, exists due to the creature's free choice to sin and be selfish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of Evil | Evil is not a thing, entity, or being. Evil is a privation, or the absence of some good. |
| Origin of Evil | Evil originates from the creature's free will to choose sin and selfishness. |
| Existence of Evil | Evil exists not as an objective fact, but as a subjective conception. Evil is relative to other things. |
| God and Evil | God is all-good and cannot be the creator of evil. God allows evil because of his omniscience. |
| Suffering and Evil | Suffering and evil are interrelated. Suffering can lead to transformation and finding harmony with God. |
| Moral Evil | Moral evil arises from error and can be minimized through improved knowledge and individual reformation. |
| Physical Evil | Physical evil is the lack of perfection in the current world, which moves towards ultimate perfection in the kingdom of God. |
| Problem of Evil | The existence of evil is an emotional and intellectual obstacle to belief in God. Evil is the most serious problem in the world. |
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What You'll Learn
Evil is the absence of good, not a positive force
The origin of evil in the Catholic faith has been a topic of much debate and discussion, with a variety of opinions and theories proposed. One prominent view, known as the privation theory of evil or the "absence of good," suggests that evil is not a positive force or a substance but rather the absence or lack of good. This theory has been attributed to theologians and philosophers such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and C.S. Lewis.
According to the privation theory, evil is insubstantial and should not be considered an entity in itself. It is often argued that everything that exists is good simply because it exists. In other words, the very act of existing is inherently good. This idea is closely linked to the concept of creation, suggesting that God, as the creator, is the source of all that is good. Therefore, evil is not something that God created but rather the absence or lack of good.
For example, death can be understood as the absence of life. When life is absent, death occurs. Similarly, darkness is the absence of light, and poverty is the absence of wealth. These examples illustrate how evil is not a positive force but a lack of good. Augustine expressed this concept by stating, "evil has no positive nature; but the loss of good has received the name 'evil.'"
The privation theory of evil has been subject to criticism and debate. Some argue that the terms "absence" and "presence" imply quantifiability, which may not apply to abstract concepts like goodness. Additionally, the theory raises questions about moral neutrality and the relationship between good and evil. Critics argue that good and evil can exist simultaneously and that their opposition is not mutually exclusive.
While the privation theory of evil provides a theological and philosophical perspective, it is important to note that the Catholic Church also emphasizes individual reformation as a means to address moral evil and its consequent suffering. This involves stimulating or redirecting the will rather than solely increasing knowledge. The Church's teachings on evil incorporate the principles of omnipotence, omniscience, and the absolute goodness of the Creator.
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Evil is subjective, relative to other things
Evil, according to the Catholic Church, is a complex and multifaceted concept. It is not a tangible entity but rather a subjective idea that is defined by its relation to other things. This means that evil is not inherent in an object or action but is instead assigned based on its impact or context.
The Catholic Church differentiates between two types of evil: moral evil and physical evil. Moral evil refers to willful sin, such as murder, adultery, theft, and sorcery. It arises from the misuse of free will, first by the fallen angels and then by mankind. God, being omniscient, created humans with the knowledge that they would sin, but this does not mean He created them to be evil. Instead, free will allows humans to choose between good and evil, and it is through this choice that moral evil enters the world.
Physical evil, on the other hand, refers to natural harm, such as famine, illness, natural disasters, and death. The cause of physical evil is spiritual evil, or sin. This connection between spiritual and physical evil is integral to understanding their shared origin in free will and the choices individuals make.
The existence of evil has been a significant objection to the existence of God, often referred to as "the problem of evil." This problem is not just an intellectual one but also an emotional obstacle, as it can be challenging to reconcile a good and omnipotent God with the presence of evil and suffering in the world. However, the Catholic Church maintains that the existence of God and evil are not mutually exclusive. God's goodness does not mean He will prevent all suffering, as suffering can serve a greater purpose and bring about justice and good in the end.
While the origin of evil is attributed to the creature's free will and choice to sin, it is important to note that God is the origin of free will. This leads to the question of whether God is ultimately responsible for evil. The Catholic Church emphasizes that God's gift of free will is essential for sincere love and that He permits moral evil to exist because of His omniscience, not in spite of it.
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God is not to blame for evil, it is a result of free will
The existence of evil is a serious objection to the existence of God, and many have abandoned their faith because of it. The atheist philosopher J. L. Mackie, for instance, maintained that belief in God was irrational, arguing that if God were all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good, he would know about, be able to prevent, and wish to prevent evil.
However, the Catholic Church teaches that God is not responsible for evil in the world. Evil is not a thing in itself, but a lack of something that should be present. It is not a positive source or force, but a privation or absence of good. In other words, evil is not a creation of God, but a corruption or perversion of something good.
The Catholic Church also teaches that God created human beings with the gift of free will, the ability to choose between good and evil. This free will is so important that God will not override it, for if he did, it would not truly be free will. God wants us to love him sincerely, but we cannot be forced to love him. Thus, moral evil is a result of the misuse of this gift of free will, first by the fallen angels, and then by mankind.
The existence of physical evil (natural harm) is also ultimately due to free will. In the Bible, St. Paul connects physical evil with moral evil, arguing that death spread to all men because all men sinned. In other words, the cause of physical evil is spiritual evil.
While it may be a mystery why an all-good God allows suffering and evil to take place, it is suggested that God may have good reasons for permitting evil and suffering that are unknown or incomprehensible to us. God is omniscient, and so he may allow evil to exist because of his omniscience, not in spite of it.
Furthermore, it is only within a moral framework that the sufferings of this life can have any meaning. God can ultimately bring about justice and draw good out of suffering.
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Evil is a test of faith and points to the existence of God
The existence of evil is a significant question in Catholic theology, and it has been contended that existence is fundamentally evil, with good being an illusion. This is a key belief of Buddhism, which sees happiness as unattainable and advocates for a release from existence. However, this view contradicts the Catholic belief in the goodness of God and the ultimate meaning and purpose that God brings to suffering.
The problem of evil is often seen as an emotional obstacle to belief in God. Atheists like J.L. Mackie have argued that an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good God should not allow evil to exist. If God does exist, Mackie argues, then He must be "impotent, ignorant, or wicked". This argument, however, does not consider the possibility that God has reasons beyond human understanding for permitting evil.
Evil, in Catholic doctrine, is seen as a deprivation or absence of good. St. Thomas Aquinas, building on the principles of St. Augustine, defines evil as a subjective conception, where things are considered evil based on their relation to other things. Evil, therefore, is not an objective reality but a relative concept.
The existence of evil can be understood in the context of free will. God permits moral evil because He grants humans the freedom to choose between good and evil. This freedom is so essential that God will not interfere with it, even if it means allowing moral evil to exist. Physical evil, such as pain and suffering, can serve a purpose in warning us away from harm. C.S. Lewis explains that God "shouts in our pain", using it to communicate with us in a way we cannot ignore.
Evil, therefore, is a test of faith and a reminder of our need for God. It points to the existence of God by affirming the reality of morality and the need for a moral lawgiver. While it may be a mystery why God allows suffering, Catholic theology holds that God can ultimately bring justice and use suffering for a greater good.
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Evil is the sum of opposition to individual desires
Evil, in the Catholic faith, is a highly contested topic. The problem of evil is the greatest emotional obstacle to belief in God. The atheist philosopher J. L. Mackie maintained that belief in God was irrational. If God were all-knowing (omniscient), he would know that there was evil in the world; if he were all-powerful (omnipotent), he could prevent it; and if he were all-good (omnibenevolent), he would wish to prevent it. The fact that there is still evil in the world, according to Mackie, proves that God doesn’t exist or, if he did, that he must be “impotent, ignorant, or wicked.”
However, Mackie's argument involves more emotion than reason, and the existence of God and the existence of evil aren't mutually exclusive. God, with infinite knowledge, knows many things that humans don't. Thus, he may have good reasons for permitting evil and suffering that seem inexplicable to people. Humans have a very limited vantage point and often lack knowledge of things of true significance. What appears to be a tragedy may have effects that bring about great good, and conversely, what seems good may, in the long run, prove harmful.
According to Catholic doctrine, any theory concerning evil must include the omnipotence, omniscience, and absolute goodness of the Creator. Evil, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, is a privation or the absence of some good which belongs properly to the nature of the creature. There is no "summum malum," or positive source of evil, corresponding to the "summum bonum," which is God. Evil exists not as an objective fact but as a subjective conception; things are evil not in themselves but by their relation to other things.
Evil has also been attributed to one of two mutually opposed principles, to which the mingled good and evil of the world are due. The relation between the two is variously represented and ranges from the coordination imagined by Zoroastrianism to the relative independence of the created will as held by Christian theology.
Moral evil results from the misuse of the God-given gift of free will. God created humans with the ability to willfully choose or reject Him. People choose to sin through willful disobedience, and this rejection is a void in God's plan. God wants humans to love Him, but without free will, they couldn't sincerely love Him. If God created humans without free will, they would be living machines and not made in His image and likeness. Thus, God permits moral evil to the extent that He gives humans free will.
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Frequently asked questions
Evil is a privation, or the absence of some good which belongs properly to the nature of the creature. There is no "summum malum", or positive source of evil, corresponding to the "summum bonum", which is God. Evil is not a thing, entity, or being, but a wrong choice or the damage done by a wrong choice.
The Catholic Church recognizes that an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent creator might have good reasons for tolerating abuses of human free will that lead to evil and suffering. We may not know what all his reasons are, but we value the freedom to choose good freely rather than by compulsion.
The Catholic Church argues that the existence of evil does not disprove the existence of God, but rather points to it, as if evil exists, then it follows that morality exists, and if morality exists, then it follows that God exists. Moral laws point to a moral law-giver.
