When evil unexpectedly intrudes into our lives, consciousness is hurled into a state of profound disquietude. This abrupt eruption, often incomprehensible and unforeseen, propels us into questioning the depths of our essence, rendering us incredibly vulnerable and disoriented. The overwhelming experience of evil, in its raw ineffability, makes any attempt to describe it or verbally circumscribe it a daunting and perhaps even futile task. Yet, despite the temptation to retreat into silence, the soul feels an urgent need to vocalize its bewilderment, to seek words that may assuage, if not explain, the indescribable pain.

Evil thrusts us into existential questioning. Amid the chaos, the soul craves words, not just silence. #philosophyofevil

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Over time, philosophical reflection on evil has engendered diverse interpretations and categorizations. A significant distinction in this realm lies between commensurable and incommensurable evil. The former, being measurable, is amenable to forms of analysis and comparison, allowing a categorization that establishes its nature, causes, and potential solutions.

These are evils that, although devastating, fall within a grid of understanding that human beings can somehow confront and reflect upon. Incommensurable evil, however, represents an entirely different category. It eludes our metrics, baffles our categories, confounding our understanding. This kind of evil raises profound questions about the very nature of existence, as it cannot be easily explained or rationalized. Examples could include tragedies with no apparent reason, sufferings without an identifiable cause, or incomprehensible traumatic events. A common temptation in philosophy and theology is to conceive of evil as a necessary shadow of the good, a sort of counterpoint that highlights and magnifies the presence of the good. Yet, this argument becomes problematic in the face of incommensurable evil. How can evil, seemingly without reason or explanation, serve to elevate the good? And how could a benevolent God, if conceived as such, permit such evils?

Measurable evil allows reflection; incommensurable evil challenges our very understanding of existence. #paradoxofevil

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In the context of reflecting on the nature of evil, it is crucial to differentiate between physical evil, moral evil, and metaphysical evil. While other forms of evil may stem from external forces or uncontrollable circumstances, moral evil emanates from an internal conflict between what is known to be right and what is chosen to be done.

This form of evil is revealed when an individual, despite a clear awareness of the potential suffering they could cause, opts to act harmfully. The specificity of moral evil resides precisely in the deliberate choice to inflict harm, contrary to one’s awareness of the good. The presence of moral evil poses substantial challenges to thought. One primary difficulty is understanding how, in the presence of a conscience that recognizes the good, the deliberate choice to commit harmful actions can emerge. This challenges the very foundations of our understanding of freedom, responsibility, and the essence of ethics.

Addressing these questions requires recourse to the rationality we possess, albeit limited and incapable of fully unveiling the mysteries of evil. This does not imply resignation but rather the adoption of a posture that, while preserving the mystery of evil, offers a perception that is at least partially comprehensible. As suggested in Leibniz’s Essays on Theodicy, what we can afford is “An explanation sufficient to believe, but never enough to understand.” To exceed this boundary exposes us to “words devoid of sense,” as the story of Job teaches.

Moral evil poses a deep ethical challenge: How can harmful actions emerge from a conscience that knows good? #moralquandary

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In the words written in Fede e Critica by Guido Morselli, “One must, by reasoning, convince oneself that reasoning is not sufficient,” the culmination of a reflection that questions the very frontiers of reason is manifested. Morselli not only suggests the essentiality of reasoning but also its potential inadequacy in probing the abyss of the problem of evil. Faced with the enigma of evil, our consciousness collides with the paradox of wanting to understand what often appears incomprehensible.

The dilemma is not just intellectual, but profoundly existential: evil, in addition to being a philosophical and theological challenge, is also a deeply personal matter. Each individual, in the course of their life, must find their own way to confront and make sense of suffering and injustice. And, although the answers may differ, what unites all human beings is the ceaseless quest for meaning, for hope, and for redemption. Seeking to understand evil, despite its seemingly senseless devastation, is thus a testament to our deep-seated need for meaning. Perhaps, the true value lies not so much in finding a definitive answer, but in having the courage to pose the question. In our continuous questioning, we rediscover the humanity of the human soul. And in this endeavor resides our true strength.