Nature of Evil and Spiritual Intelligence

Evil affects human beings and society at large. From ancient times onward, philosophers, theologians, and leaders in the East and West have been wrestling with the question of the nature of evil and its impact on the world. From the dawn of civilization, great thinkers have been intrigued by the concept of evil, its nature, existence, and effects on the civilization of life. The analysis of evil has thrived around polarizing concepts such as Good versus Evil, God versus Satan, Individual versus State, Light versus Darkness, and Flesh versus Spirit. Like many animals, human beings experience violence, fear, loss, and pain. Yet, they are the only species able to reflect on those experiences, name the sources of evil, and create various understandings of the nature of evil. Tracing the notions of the nature of evil from various perspectives, such as historical, philosophical, religious, and spiritual, enables one to appreciate the complexity and multifaceted approach toward grasping the nature of evil and ways to overcome it with spiritual intelligence. Understanding the nature of evil will help us to find creative and effective ways of overcoming evil and thus pave the way for the flourishing of goodness.