The Problem of Evil (Aquinas 101)

Summary

This video script explores St. Thomas Aquinas's teachings on the nature of evil and God's allowance of it in His creation. Aquinas defines evil as a 'privation,' an absence of what should be present, rather than a direct entity. He distinguishes between natural evils, necessary for the material world's existence and ecosystem balance, and evils unique to rational beings: the evils of fault (culpa) and punishment (poena). The script delves into the deeper questions of why sin exists and why God permits the suffering of the innocent, suggesting that God allows evil for a greater good and to manifest His goodness more profoundly. Ultimately, it portrays God's permitting of evil as part of a mysterious but wise providence aimed at bringing about a higher good.

Takeaways

• 💡 Evil is defined as a privation, or the absence of a good that should be present, rather than a being or entity itself.
• 📖 Aquinas uses the analogy of an incomplete circle to illustrate the concept of privation, highlighting that evil is not a direct cause of badness but rather the absence of completeness.
• 🌲 The existence of a changeable world with growth, decay, and death, referred to as 'natural evils', is necessary for the ecosystem and universe's overall good.
• 🤴 Human beings experience unique forms of evil: the evil of pain or penalty (poena) and the evil of fault or guilt (culpa), which are consequences of free and rational creatures' actions.
• 🚶‍♂️ The story of Billy the Kid illustrates the difference between the evil of fault (committing a wrong act) and the evil of penalty (suffering consequences for the act), emphasizing the former as morally worse.
• 🖥 God does not will the evil of sin but permits it, allowing punishment to follow moral evil to restore justice and correct the wrongdoer.
• 😷 The suffering of the innocent is a profound mystery, linked to the consequences of original sin and the inherent potential for moral nobility and goodness in suffering.
• 🔮 Aquinas challenges the free will defense for the existence of evil, asserting that God's providence is a deep mystery beyond our full understanding.
• 🌊 Aquinas posits that God permits evil for the sake of a greater good, which is part of the incomprehensible whole of creation's good.
• 💖 The ultimate manifestation of God's goodness in allowing sin is seen in the redemption offered through Christ's suffering and death on the cross, highlighting God's redeeming love and mercy.

Q & A

What is evil according to St. Thomas Aquinas?

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, evil is not a being or entity in itself but is a privation, meaning it is the absence or lack of what should be present. It represents a deficit rather than a direct cause of harm.

How does Aquinas illustrate the concept of privation using a circle?

Aquinas uses the example of an incomplete circle to illustrate privation. If a circle is not fully drawn, it is not bad in itself but is lacking what is required to be a complete circle. This absence or deficiency is what Aquinas refers to as a privation.

What does Aquinas mean by 'natural evils'?

Natural evils, according to Aquinas, are the necessary outcomes of the material world's changeable nature, such as growth, decay, and death. These are not evil in a moral sense but are essential for the existence and balance of the natural world.

How does Aquinas differentiate between the evil experienced by humans and natural evils?

Aquinas distinguishes between natural evils and the evils experienced by humans by introducing two unique types of evil that apply to rational and free beings: the evil of poena (pain or penalty) and the evil of culpa (fault or guilt).

What is the 'evil of culpa' and how does it relate to moral actions?

The 'evil of culpa' refers to the moral wrongdoing or fault resulting from a person's willful refusal to follow right reason, leading to acts that are unjust or unworthy of a human person. It's a form of moral self-harm.

Why does Aquinas argue that the 'evil of poena' can be considered good?

Aquinas argues that the 'evil of poena' (punishment) can be considered good because it serves justice and can lead to the correction and improvement of the wrongdoer, especially if accepted and offered in reparation for their faults.

What is Aquinas's stance on God's role in the existence of sin?

Aquinas maintains that God never wills the evil of sin or fault, which arise from human choices contrary to right reason. While God permits sin, He is not its cause and allows it for reasons related to human freedom and the greater good.

How does Aquinas address the problem of the suffering of the innocent?

Aquinas acknowledges the difficulty in explaining the suffering of the innocent and suggests that such suffering can lead to greater moral nobility. He reasons that God permits such suffering for a higher good, although the specific reasons may be beyond human comprehension.

What is Aquinas's view on the 'free will defense' in the context of the problem of evil?

Aquinas does not fully endorse the 'free will defense', which argues that evil is a necessary consequence of free will. He believes that God, as the origin of our freedom, could in theory ensure the right choices are made but chooses not to for reasons that remain a deep mystery.

How does Aquinas reconcile the existence of evil with the goodness of God?

Aquinas suggests that God permits evil only to bring about a greater good, emphasizing that God's infinite power and goodness can transform evil into a greater good. This concept is exemplified in the belief that God's redemptive action through suffering and the cross manifests His love and mercy in a profound way.