Language:
English
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
The Evil Inclination in Early Judaism and Christianity
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2021) 95-114
Keywords:
Philo, Criticism and interpretation
;
Good and evil in post-biblical literature
;
Yetzer hara (Judaism) in post-biblical literature
Abstract:
When raising the question of the origin of evil, we first need to distinguish between two meanings of the term. Evil can refer to phenomena such as diseases, earthquakes, natural disasters, and the like, or it can refer to “moral evils” – that is, to humanity’s wrongdoings, improper conduct, or vices. Since the concept of an Evil Inclination, as defined by the editors of this volume, relates to moral agents and not to a bad state of affairs, it undoubtedly fits into the second category. This does not mean that Philo did not attempt to deal with natural evils. In two of his philosophical treatises –both entitled On Providence – he addresses this issue in connection with the question of theodicy.
DOI:
10.1017/9781108557153.006
URL:
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