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The Thomistic Institute
Evil as Privation | Father James Brent, O.P.
Sep 28, 2023
Fr. James Brent, O.P. discusses the nature of evil according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Topics include the metaphysics of evil as privation, different interpretations of perfection, the concept of evil as absence of good, and debunking misconceptions about completely evil beings.
39:47
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Quick takeaways
- Evil is a privation, a lack that is contrary to a thing's perfection, challenging dualistic views.
- Goodness is prior to being, and evil is a lack within the inherently good nature of things, rejecting the idea of evil as a separate force or domain.
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Evil as Privation and the Significance of the Privation Account
Evil is understood as a privation, a lack or absence of what is proper to a thing. This distinguishes evil from negation, which is simply lacking a perfection. Privation, however, is a lack that is contrary to the thing's perfection. The privation account of evil is significant in opposing dualistic views of good and evil. It denies the notion of equal ontological status of good and evil, emphasizing that goodness is prior to being, and evil is found in what is good. Therefore, it is impossible for something to be completely evil, as that would entail lacking all perfections, including being itself. This understanding challenges Gnosticism and the belief in a God of evil. The privation account also sheds light on the nature of evil in relation to beings, highlighting that evil is not a separate force or domain, but a lack and absence within the inherently good nature of things.
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