Elements Quote by Laura Riding
“Evil I had never found satisfactorily placeable as an integral element of the universal, or total, content of existence. Indeed, evil is evil just because there is no logical place for it, no room in reality for it. It is unreal, and yet real as something unreal.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Evil, Laura Riding, 1930
Evil is portrayed as an illogical, impossible element that cannot be reconciled with reality, making it both unreal and paradoxically real.
In simple terms: Evil seems impossible yet feels real.
Key Takeaway
Accept that some concepts defy logical placement.
Themes
philosophy
metaphysics
ethics
paradox
reality
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
introspective
Type
analytical
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- moral decision making
- artistic expression
- personal crisis
Key Concepts
existentialism
ontological paradox
logical inconsistency
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we truly understand evil without a logical framework?
- How does labeling something as 'unreal' affect our moral judgments?
A Different Perspective
Evil may be a construct of language rather than an ontological fact.
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