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Radical evil (German: das radikal Böse) is a phrase used by German philosopher Immanuel Kant, one representing the Christian term, radix malorum. Kant believed that human beings naturally have a tendency to be evil. He explains radical evil as corruption that entirely takes over a human being and leads to desires acting against the universal moral law. The outcome of one's natural tendency, or innate propensity, towards evil are actions or "deeds" that subordinate the moral law. According to Kant, these actions oppose universally moral maxims and display self-love and self conceit.[1][2] By many authors, Kant's concept of radical evil is seen as a paradox and inconsistent through his development of moral theories.[3][4]
- ^ Caswell, Matthew (2006). "Kant's Conception of the Highest Good, the Gesinnung, and the Theory of Radical Evil". Kant Studien. 97 (2): 184–209. doi:10.1515/KANT.2006.011. ISSN 1613-1134. S2CID 170893356.
- ^ Kant's Religion within the boundaries of mere reason: a critical guide. Michalson, Gordon E., 1948-. New York. 17 April 2014. ISBN 978-1-107-01852-5. OCLC 875674753.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1369415412000283
- ^ Fackenheim, Emil L. (1954). "Kant and Radical Evil". University of Toronto Quarterly. 23 (4): 339–353. ISSN 1712-5278.