The Scandal of Evil in Philosophical Ethics: Theory and Applications

Timo Airaksinen
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Timo Airaksinen: Department of Philosophy, University of Helsinki, Finland

Homo Oeconomicus, 2002, vol. 19, 171-197

Abstract: The philosophical ethics of evil is a deeply scandalous field in two different ways. First, philosophers have forgotten evil, and in this sense they have allowed it in their theories. Second, such topics as violence, war , and slavery have been discussed as if they were justifiable practical actions and policies. This is the second scandal. This paper tries to show that evil is somehow inherently scandalous topic which is very difficult to handle without getting involved in it. I also try to show how the exploration of the negative moral emotions indicate the existence of objective good. I analyze such concepts as guilt, remorse, lament, and regret. It seems natural to say that the corresponding moral emotions should accompany the acts of violence and enslavement. If they do not, the case is philosophically and practically scandalous. But even if it is, such topics are well hidden and as such unmentionable.

Date: 2002
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hom:homoec:v:19:y:2002:p:171-197

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