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Ignorance Is Not Bliss
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Tsang, Tommy |
| Copyright Year | 2015 |
| Abstract | This paper will examine the concept of evil through the lens of Saint Augustine's view of evil in Confessions and Socrates' view of evil in Meno. To do so, this paper will attempt to dissect both philosopher's argument regarding the obtainability of evil and take a logical, stepby-step approach to reach its conclusion. Ultimately, this paper will challenge Augustine's belief that it is possible to desire evil and instead argue for Socrates' belief that evil only exists insofar as we are ignorant of the good. After all, arguing for Socrates' belief on evil over Augustine's seems to be the most sensible path when taking into consideration the basis and method/validity of proof for both philosopher's argument. As a disclaimer, this paper is not attempting to define the existence of evil in a worldly or spiritual sense. Instead, this paper will attempt to break down the existence of evil insofar as it pertains to Augustine's discussion of evil in Confessions and Socrates' discussion of evil in Meno. In Confessions by Saint Augustine and Meno by Plato, Augustine and Socrates investigate people's capability to desire evil. Particularly, Augustine accepts the possibility that people can desire evil and suggests that this desire is fundamental in coming to terms with God. According to Augustine, we desire good when we are with God, while we desire evil when we turn away from God. In contrast, Socrates rejects the possibility that people can desire evil and instead claims that people will always choose what they believe to be good over what they believe to be evil. Socrates also suggests that when people do something 83 In this paper, “evil” also means “bad.” evil, it is actually because they are ignorant that this “something” is evil. By accepting Socrates' belief that people can only desire good, we can then challenge Augustine's belief that it is possible to desire evil and instead argue that evil only exists insofar as we are ignorant of the good. In order to defend this claim, I will first introduce Socrates' belief that people can only desire good. Second, I will summarize Augustine's belief that it is possible to desire evil. Third, I will analyze the implications of accepting Socrates' belief that people can only desire good and what it entails in regards to ignorance of the good. Fourth, I will present my first counterargument about the implications of arguing that Augustine is actually correct when he says that our evil acts are a result of our abandonment of God. Fifth, I will present my second counterargument about how some people may believe “good” is relative. Finally, I will discuss why Socrates’ argument is more convincing than Augustine’s argument. In order to accept Socrates' belief, we must first understand it. As Socrates and his dialectic partner Meno discuss the nature of virtue in Meno, Socrates asks Meno, “Do you assume that there are people who desire bad things, and others who desire good things? Do you not think, my good man, that all men desire good things?” After a series of back-and-forth dialectic in which Socrates questions Meno into thinking that those who believe bad things benefit them know that they are bad is untrue, Socrates himself concludes that, “No one then wants what is bad, Meno, unless he wants to be such. For what else is being miserable but to desire bad things and secure them?" Although Socrates acknowledges the existence of evil in this excerpt, he also |
| Starting Page | 7 |
| Ending Page | 7 |
| Page Count | 1 |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| Volume Number | 1 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | https://fordham.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=apps |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
