cover image Moral Evil

Moral Evil

Andrew Michael Flescher. Georgetown Univ., $32.95 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-62616-010-1

How does one understand, and cope with, the idea of evil in a world that civilized people devoutly wish was good? How does the presence of deity factor into this world and this wish? These and other questions are answered in this dense, sometimes difficult, work by a fine scholar. Is moral evil simply the absence of good, or is it embodied by deliberative acts and attitudes? The author challenges readers to consider the problem of evil from many perspectives, bringing to his study the thoughts of multiple and varied philosophers and theologians. Flescher, director of the masters program in Compassionate Care, Bioethics, and Medical Humanities at Stony Brook University, takes the reader through a series of four possible models for comprehending moral evil. Along the way, he lays out ways for ethicists and philosophers to come to grips with the sometimes conflicting prescriptions for understanding and change. At times the author creates more questions than answers, but he never fails to fascinate. (Dec.)