What is Good or Evil?

A  Philosophical  Reflection on  the Problem  of  Moral Responsibility

Abstract

The  problem  of  good  and  evil  is highly associated  with human  freedom and  moral responsibility. Whence comes evil? How can the existence of evil be compatible with God’s perfection?  Are  we  living in  a  pre-determined  world  as  helpless agents  of  the already programed human behavior? To what extent do man’s rationality, moral sentiment and freedom determine his/her moral responsibility to establish a just social order? These are the central questions addressed in this article. There are different debates on the problem of good and evil and moral responsibility. Some deny the existence of evil at all. Others argue that natural incidents perceived as evil are God’s plans to cure nature and moral evils are deprivation of goodness in humans due to their will. The main objective of this article  is  to  entertain  the  basic  arguments  on  the  problem  and  to  call  the  attention  of scholars,  policy  makers  and  activists  on  the  basic  moral  problems  we  are  facing  in administration,  media  use  and  handling  diversity.  Using  Qualitative research  method (critical social theory perspective), it is argued that moral evil is one of the existential problems  of  human  life;  and  humans,  as  rational  beings  endowed  with  free  will,  are morally  responsible  to  minimize  it.  Moral  responsibility  is  a  foundation  for  other responsibilities  in  addressing  fundamental  human  and  environmental  problems.  It  is extended from taking the accountability for one’s own choices, to the humane response to the miseries of humans, to maintain sustainable human security and ecosystem wellbeing.