Thinker's Guide to Evil
Peter VardyEvil is one of the deepest and most central problems of human existence - a problem which every individual and every age must face for itself. Our grandparents' generation faced the evil of Hitler and the Holocaust, our parents generation that of Stalin and Communism. We face terrorism and suicide bombers. But perhaps the question is not that simple. How did Nazism arise in Christian Germany? Do we not do evil ourselves? In a world where millions of children starve to death every year are we complicit in institutional evil? What exactly is evil? The authors explore our changing approach to evil, particularly in the Western Christian tradition, and the different answers that have been given. They look at the way our current ideas are presented in popular film and literature, like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. A wide range of great artists in the Western tradition are used to illustrate the way our understanding of these questions is fundamental to our humanity and our everyday behaviour.
- As a philosopher of religion Peter Vardy is unsurpassed. ~ John Walter, Dialogue Magazine
- A challenging and wide-ranging discussion, which spans Theology, philosophy and Psychology and draws its inspiration from art, literature and film. Clearly and engagingly written and thoroughly illustrated, it is an excellent book for anyone concerned to think seriously about these important issues. ~ Dr Jeremy Hall, University of Glasgow and Editor of Dialogue
- Peter Vardy is the best populariser of Philosophy of Religion in Britain today. ~ , Theology
- What I like specially about this book is its down to earth accessibility. Peter Vardy and Julie Arliss have the ability to open up the discussion of complex issues in a way that will be enormously appreciated in both secondary school classrooms and in parish discussion groups. For providing a point of entry into the discussion of some of the most troubling issues of our times, we are greatly I their debt. ~ Peter Carnley, Anglican Primate of Australia
- This book provides insights and a wealth of source material which enable the reader to consider the issue of evil. Vardy and Arliss have their finger on the pulse of today's world. ~ Dr Beverly Zimmerman, Catholic Schools Office
