Kierkegaard's Analysis of Radical Evil

Description

For thousands of years philosophers and theologians have grappled with the problem of evil. Traditionally, evil has been seen as a weakness of sorts: the evil person is either ignorant, or weak-willed. But in the most horrifying acts of evil, the perpetrators are resolute, deliberate, and well aware of the pain they are causing. Here David Roberts painstakingly details the matrix of issues that evolved into Kierkegaard's own solution. Kierkegaard's psychological understanding of evil is that it arises out of despair - a despair that can become so vehement and ferocious that it lashes out at existence itself. Roberts shows how the despairing self can become strengthened and intensified through a conscious and free choice against the Good. This type of radical evil is neither ignorant nor weak.

Dr David A. Roberts teaches philosophy at John A. Logan College, Carterville, Illinois.

Reference & Research Book News, August 2006 -- mention "This book is probably best understood as an application of Kierkegaardian resources to a problem in the philosophy of religion, i.e., the problem of evil. The majority of the book is expository, which will be helpful for those who are interested in the problem of evil but are unfamiliar with Kierkegaard's writings. On this level Robert's exposition is good, since he expounds on the text with clarity and insight." -Brian Gregor, Philosophy in Review "What is most compelling about Kierkegaard's encounter with the problem of evil is that it does not take place primarily upon the conceptual level. One has the sense that Kierkegaard himself was well familiar with the back alleys of the human psyche where the impulse to evil is spawned and nurtured. Roberts convincingly recounts Kierkegaard's groundbreaking encounter with the dread of all dreads -- despair itself. And in this encounter the master psychologist may well have given us the most penetrating analysis of the problem of evil that we yet have. Roberts is clear and precise in his presentation, and writes with a sobriety that befits his subject matter. This is an important book, and deserves a place in any library concerned with issues of ethics and religion." Dr. Stephen Tyman Southern Illinois University at Carbondale * Blurb from reviewer *