Why Evil Exists

Consider the range of human thought across history, which has sought understanding of evil. First, examine three dominant historical views of the nature of evil.

In the Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation myth, see how the dualism of good and bad divine powers locates evil as an innate structure of reality.

This lecture explores contrasting views of evil and suffering in Ancient Greece. In Greek tragic drama, trace the cruel paradoxes of fate and responsibility, under divine governance, that afflict the characters.

The inquiry continues with the seminal views of Plato and Aristotle. Follow Plato's developing views of evil as miseducation, a political fact of human society and ultimately as metaphysical revolt.

The Hebrew Bible roots evil in various forms of rebellion. In the Hebrew Book of Genesis, see how the Fall actualizes an intrinsic potential for evil.

The Hebrew Bible also offers a contrasting view of evil and suffering - as phenomena reflecting the mysterious will of God.