Evil and Late Medieval Thought

Abstract

This chapter briefly explains how medieval thinkers understand the notions of “good” (bonum) and “evil” (malum). It then explains how Thomas Aquinas thinks of good and evil in general. It notes how he distinguishes between goodness and badness in things. It also notes how he tries to relate goodness and badness in the world to God, considered as totally good. In doing so it explains how it is that Aquinas, like other medieval theologians, is never concerned to turn to the existence of evil while trying to explain how God can be morally exonerated for permitting it. It also explains what Aquinas takes to be the causal connection between instances of evil and God.