The Nature of Evil in Contemporary Society

The podcast discusses the relevance of the concept of evil in modern secular society, questioning whether traditional notions of good and evil still hold meaning. With the decline of grand religious interpretations, the panel reflects on how evil is perceived today, suggesting it may be considered outdated. The discussion introduces various perspectives on evil, including those of philosopher Plato and Immanuel Kant, who have framed evil as either the absence of good or as a radical force within the world. This sets the stage for an exploration of a new understanding of evil, particularly in light of Hannah Arendt’s concept of the 'banality of evil,' which describes evil as a systemic, day-to-day occurrence rather than an extraordinary phenomenon.