From the beginning of time, until the present day, the discourse about evil has dominated the culture. The way that the discourse has been portrayed over generations varies, depending on the cultural setting of the society. This variation is manifested in the different ways humans treat their fellows around the globe. In order for us to better understand Stump’s opinion on evil and good, we need to consider the historical context as well as current events. The indifference of mankind is the main cause for evil. Humans’ evil nature is manifested in incidents like rape, assaults on women, murders or economic exploitation. This shows that not only does man have a wrong perception of evil, but also has a false understanding. Everyone must conduct self-reflection and try to pinpoint the cause of any societal problems. In relation to the perceptions of evil during ancient times, I think that the majority of factors that continue to influence evil in modern society are a result of historical recordings.
To illustrate, the age when slavery was prevalent is a prime example of an evil society. A society, which appears to have shunned morals in favor of social injustices that perpetuate the evil instead of addressing it. History records show that slavery was a time of extreme selfishness. The more powerful and wealthy factions were willing to expose their opposites to slavery’s immense suffering. Noteworthy, slavery discourse was used to justify racial separation and discrimination towards certain minority communities, such as Native Americans. Indian Americans, or African Americans. The perpetrators of evil were not aware that they had done anything wrong. In a significant way, the evil problem still occupies a large part of modern society. Evil manifests itself in economic, religious, and political corridors today. The stark economic differences between developed and third-world countries are a sign of a society that is careless, not considering the plights of those who are less fortunate. Stump’s observations of economic inequality in society are notable. It is also noteworthy that in certain regions, like Africa or India, famines and hunger continue to ravage these areas despite the onset a global economy revolution which should be inspiring mass production of food.
Unjust economic deals have led to untold human suffering in the developing world. To ensure the well-being of all, it’s important for everyone to reflect on their own morality and return to them. Stump offers a variety of responses to the evil discourse that continues to plague the society. Others, however, believe that society can eliminate the evil. Stump points out that the first strategy is not the best way to respond to the evil discourse, as it has a limited effect and is short-lived. Stump is more interested in the complete eradication from society of all evil. In this manner, Stump relates the evil to Garden of Eden which is believed by most people to be the underlying cause of suffering. Stump argues in this response that people can eliminate evil by returning to moral virtues and operating within the Bible’s provisions.
In this regard, it is essential that members of society promote and create an atmosphere that fosters peaceful coexistence. Not only will this reverse the subjugation that unprivileged minorities face but also eradicate the social injustices in the community that appear to perpetuate the evil. Stump’s reply is adequate to the moral conduct that every member should exhibit. I think that Stump’s response is the most effective remedy to the evil discourse, as it models the moral uprightness in humans. Once the uprightness of humans is modeled, the evil discourse will be eliminated from society. Stump argues that in order to reach this goal it’s important to start with social intuitions, which can affect a persons perception of evil. It follows, then, that moral theories and principles based on established morality are the most qualified to provide guidance for humanity regarding moral conduct. This will not only suppress the evil discourse, but also neutralize its slight effect on the well-being of society.
