St. Augustine's Definition of Evil

Throughout our lives, we often wonder why bad things happen and, more importantly, why they often happen to innocent and good people.

Many people believe that the answer lies in the concept of evil. Everything that happens in the world that is positive is because of good and everything that happens that is bad is because of evil.

What then is evil? Why does it exist? What is its purpose?

The religious philosopher, St. Augustine, defined evil in two ways:

1. Like darkness is an absence of light and cold is an absence of heat, evil is an absence of good.

2. What appears to be evil at present is actually happening because it will lead to a greater good. As we are bound to the present, we are unable to see why this is happening and so we see it as an unnecessary evil that is taking place.

An understanding and appreciation of these two definitions will lead to a deeper understanding of why things happen.

Most religions and civilisations follow the premise that good things happen because of the force of good and bad things happen because of the force of evil. Is this a justified argument? Can life really be simple? If so, why do bad things happen to good people and vice versa? The argument of evil is as valid today as it always has been and St. Augustine's definitions are still the best we have.