Neoplatonic Origins of Evil in Pseudo-Dionysius's View

Abstract

Pseudo-Dionysius's view on evil was influenced by Neoplatonic tradition. Like Neoplatonic philosophers, he believed evil to be the absence of good and of no actual existence as all creatures were good and shared this quality. In other words, things lacking good would have no existence at all. Accordingly, Pseudo-Dionysius defined evil as lack of perfection and related it to the descent of the soul or the fall of man. In his view on evil, Pseudo-Dionysius was mostly influenced by Proclus, with whom he shared the belief that matter should not be considered evil, a view which stood in opposition with those of Plotinus. Furthermore, He was more concerned with philosophical issues than theological ones. Therefore, his views are penned in a language borrowed form Neoplatonic philosophers which bears little resemblance to the rhetoric of the Holy Scriptures.

Keywords

• evil
• pseudo-dionysius the areopagite
• neoplatonic tradition
• good
• divine names