“Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good.”
- 1225 – March 7, 1274
- Born in the Kingdom of Sicily (Italy)
- Theologian, philosopher
- A representative figure of scholasticism, who systematized the relationship between the doctrines of the Catholic Church and reason through his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica
Quote
“Good can exist without evil, whereas evil cannot exist without good.”
Explanation
Thomas Aquinas, in this quote, conveys the relationship between good and evil, suggesting that good is the fundamental state of existence, while evil is dependent on it. For Aquinas, good is the natural state of being, the original and pure essence of creation. Evil, on the other hand, is a privation or lack of good—it is not an independent force but rather a corruption or distortion of what is inherently good. Therefore, good can exist independently, but evil requires good to exist because it arises as a deficiency or perversion of something good.
This idea is rooted in Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy, both of which greatly influenced Aquinas. He believed that everything created by God was intrinsically good, as God is the ultimate source of goodness. Evil, therefore, does not have an existence of its own but is rather the absence of good, much like darkness is the absence of light. Aquinas argued that good has an independent, positive quality, whereas evil is parasitic—it depends on something good to distort or corrupt. For example, greed arises from a distortion of a natural desire for comfort, and injustice comes from a failure to act in a manner consistent with what is just.
In a modern context, Aquinas’s insight helps in understanding the complexity of moral choices and human nature. It suggests that while goodness is foundational and inherent, evil results from the corruption or absence of that goodness. This view encourages people to focus on nurturing what is good—both within themselves and in their communities—since goodness is the positive force that needs cultivation. It also implies that addressing evil involves restoring or enhancing the goodness that is missing or damaged. Aquinas’s perspective helps frame moral issues not as a battle between two equal forces but as the need to preserve and promote what is fundamentally good in the face of distortions or absences that lead to evil.
