On the Problem and Mystery of Evil
Marcel’s Existential Dissolution of an Antinomy
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4963420 |
|---|---|
| Authors | J G Hernández (0000-0002-1669-302X, University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle GSR 2.210 San Antonio, TX 78249 USA) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 113-124 |
| Publication date | 2018-03-04 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Angelaki (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0969-725X • E-ISSN: 1469-2899 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/0969725x.2018.1451474 |
| OpenAlex | W2797646085 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 5 |
This paper maps out Marcel’s conception of evil onto his fundamental distinction between problem and mystery, shows that the distinction creates two effective methodologies for dealing with evil in the world (the problem approach and the mystery approach), draws the antinomy of evil based on these methodologies, and then demonstrates that the antinomy can be dissolved through an existentially engaged, communal encounter with evil and hope. The antinomy between the problem of evil and the mystery of evil is not one to be solved, then, but is one to be dissolved through an encounter with hope. Evil cannot be wholly eradicated when it lacks the objective features of a problem. Evil cannot be reflected upon as a pure mystery, when it produces wholly concrete experiences of suffering. Dissolving the antinomy facilitates Marcel’s vision of transforming the encounter of evil through a love that brings a feeling of hope – for all, regardless of existential or theistic commitment. Hope can act as a “springboard” to existential meaning, wherein the community resides at the very heart of mystery
Environmental ethics · Computer Science · Theology and Philosophy of Evil · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.33 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2023 - 2023 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |