the role of evil in the world

Last weekend I got involved in a discussion about vaccinations and coercive measures. It was about “us” versus “them”. I don’t belive in this categorizaton, nor do I believe in the supremacy of evil, whatever form it takes.

Why does evil exist? In theological terms, it’s about learning to discern and grow morally so that good finally prevails. In Taoism, on the other hand, yin and yang are considered complementary as the embodiment of the light and dark principles. As existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre said: “The confrontation with evil forces the individual to come to terms with the absurdity of existence and to find his own meaning.” Hegel assumes that the conflict between good and evil determines the progress of history and the development of human consciousness. Postmodern philosophy, on the other hand, believes that moral considerations are relative and culturally conditioned.

Carl. Jung calls evil our shadow and sees it as an external manifestation of unconscious inner conflicts. Some sociologists argue that the concept of evil serves to strengthen social norms and the cohesion of a society. Evil is also often projected onto individuals or groups as scapegoats. From an evolutionary perspective, it is possible that evil had an adaptive function. That aggression and competition were important for our survival.

ChatGTP says: “Your view that every person embodies both good and evil and that there is no absolute ‘us’ and ‘them’ is supported by various psychological, philosophical, sociological and literary perspectives. This understanding fosters empathy, self-awareness and a more nuanced approach to human interactions and moral judgements. It encourages us to look beyond simplistic pigeonholes and recognise the common humanity and complexity of each individual.”

Nobody is in control – that could be the problem!

Yours sincerely,
Susanne Seiler

P.S. You’ll find us at the gaiamedia lounge, in the back yard of Hochstrasse 70 (behind Basel’s SBB station, tram stop Peter Merian), every Thursday afternoon from 14 – 18 h. Welcome!