Das Böse - Böse

The evil - “das Böse” - stands for dreadful deeds and neglect. Its symbolism is that of the impure, the dark and the inferior. It takes hold through habits and institutions, in collective collaboration, in exclusion and marginalization, excessive punishments and despotism. Evil is also rife in the “war against evil”. As well as the means of prevention, a broad spectrum of reflection and consideration is also devoted to past evil in the form of remembering, guilt and remorse. As responses to evil, reprimand and punishment are two-edged weapons. Corrective measures are considered, such as moderate and constructive egoism, rather than 'solutions' to eliminate evil.


Jean-Claude Wolf, Universität Fribourg, Schweiz.