Proclus: On the Existence of Evils

by Carlos Steel, Jan Opsomer

Proclus' On the Existence of Evils is not a commentary, but helps to compensate for the dearth of Neoplatonist ethical commentaries. The central question addressed in the work how can there be evil in a providential world? Neoplatonists agree that it cannot be caused by higher and worthier beings. Plotinus had said that evil is matter, which, unlike Aristotle, he collapsed into mere privation or lack, thus reducing its reality. He also protected higher causes from responsibility by saying that evil may result from a combination of goods. Proclus evil is real, and not a privation. Rather, it is a parasite feeding off good. Parasites have no proper cause, and higher beings are thus vindicated as being the causes only of the good off which evil feeds.

Genres: Philosophy

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminded me of reading Proclus' essays on the Republic, and I liked this.