Help on Lord of the Rings : Saruman, White wizard Relativism

[JohnR77]

Greetings,

I was watching Joseph Pearce on EWTN Live this past week. He said something to the effect that Saruman had adopted a relativistic view of morality in which an evil means was acceptable to achieve some good end. In doing so, he no longer was the white wizard. His white light was broken into the various colors of the rainbow. Now according to Gandalf, Saruman shines no light at all, but only darkness.

Question:

I would like to read the actual text. Can someone tell me which book in which I can find this dialogue ? What page numbers ?

I have the books, I just have not read them.

Thanks,
John

 

[Wesrock]

It’s in The Fellowship of the Ring, Book II, Chapter 2: The Council of Elrond. Gandalf is recounting his meeting with Saruman to the Council.

 

[pnewton]

He said something to the effect that Saruman had adopted a relativistic view of morality in which an evil means was acceptable to achieve some good end. In doing so, he no longer was the white wizard. His white light was broken into the various colors of the rainbow.

Saruman of Many Colors was one of his name. I wouldn’t read too much in that. But I question that his downfall was moral relativism, that is, if he joined with Sauron for some greater good. I think he succumbed to the sin of pride from the the time he arrived at Middle Earth, and the he desired power to control others.

 

[Cruciferi]

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