Semantics of Evil: Augustine & Modernity

[futurtheologian]

According to Augustine, evil is essentially derived form disordered love, desire, or passion (all equivalent, have heard slightly differing terms from various theologians). I accept this as truth. Yet, what if there is another aspect of evil that is not being acknowledged? I am alluding to the confusion of good and evil, and light vs. darkness. In effect, if someone willingly mixes good and evil do you think this is a propagation of evil? I am specifically referring to a period in my life when I used to listen to hard rock and metal music (Thank God I found truth and light after that stage of my youth!). I specifically remember a lot of bands would use lyrics to mix good and evil. There was one specific line literally stating that all evil/dark things are good (in effect, destruction of life was good if I remember correctly) and the light while light was darkness. Maybe it sounds crazy, maybe this is just an odd case, but do you think that this is where evil can begin among interactions between two individuals? In one sense, if you willingly and knowingly portray the good and the light as evil, then you are spreading evil. Even extend this thought outside of my example to modernity. Lets face it. Things like abortion are constantly being referred to as a “right” when it is just an act of evil. Atheism is considered positive in modernity since it is rational but it is just a total confusion of the light and darkness. I just find that this little parallel in one sense or paradigm applies to much of modernity.Any thoughts would be appreciated. This is kind of an odd question, maybe it bears little relevance but just something I have been giving some thought to.

 

[JohnDamian]

Paraphrasing from De divina omnipotentia (St Peter Damian).

*Things in the world are good (bona) or evil (mala). These are clearly distinct and different from eachother; primarilily in the fact that the prime characteristic of a good thing is that it is (esse) and that it is something (aliquid).

The being of evil is not real; it seems to be but in the reality of truth; it is not (non esse); it is not a thing; but nothing (nihil).*

It follows from this; then; that as all evil is nothing; it is lack of Goodness; it is it’s real contrary - and cannot exist with Good; and a thing that is evil cannot be Good; as nothing cannot be something; evil cannot be Good.

A Good thing cannot come from an evil thing; because an evil thing is the rejection of Good things; the hatred of the positive; and the despising of that which is something. From nothing comes nothing - as Parmenides said; the latin of which is “ex nihilo nihil fit”.