For the final public library discussion of this year’s series, we tackle one of the most emotionally turbulent words in our language: evil. Although we often use “evil” to describe actions, people, and situations that we perceive to be deeply unethical, it isn’t clear that we as a culture have a shared sense of what, exactly, the term “evil” means.

Before we can productively explore questions like “Why does evil exist?” and “How can we eliminate evil?” it helps to have a clear sense of what it means to label something or someone “evil.” In this discussion we will explore different ways of thinking about the concept of “evil,” talk about the relationship between “evil” and other key ideas in ethics, and ask about the usefulness of this term in contemporary ethical discussions.

The Community Philosophy Circle is a monthly forum for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and share opinions and ideas in a structured, nonthreatening community discussion. Through public discourse, people are invited to express opinions and respond to the opinions of others as they tackle deep and universal questions about life, identity, community and responsibility. Community Philosophy Circles take place at 6:00pm on the second Wednesday
of each month at the downtown Eugene Public Library.