Freedom’s Dual Paradox

In our modern world, where freedom is regarded as the primary principle of existence, evil actions are not the product of a lack of good but the inevitable result of the possibility of choice. From the very dawn of human experience, freedom has been the foundation that precedes any manifestations or meanings, allowing man to perform both heroic deeds and mistakes. This concept emphasizes that true greatness of spirit is revealed in the ability to take full responsibility for one’s choices, even when they lead to questionable outcomes. Ethical reflections teach us that one should not consider good as the sole goal: both good and evil contain a profound meaning that shapes the fullness of the life journey. A conscious acknowledgment of the existence of evil is not a renunciation of ideals but a manifestation of mature freedom of spirit, enabling us to see the world in all its complexity. It is this freedom that is the driving force, opening up space for quests, trials, and true self-knowledge.

How can the existence of evil be explained when it seems that all good has already been distributed?

It can be explained through the fundamental role of freedom in human existence. Even if it seems that all good has been fully allocated, freedom—as the original condition of existence—inevitably creates opportunities for both good and evil actions. One important concept in our material is that freedom is not created; rather, it precedes the world and is embedded in the very foundation of being. As stated in one of the sources:

"Freedom is embedded in the dark abyss, in nothingness, but without freedom there is no meaning. Freedom gives rise to evil, just as it does to good. Therefore, evil does not negate the existence of meaning but confirms it. Freedom is not created because it is not nature; freedom precedes the world, it is rooted in the primordial nothingness. God is almighty over being, but not over nothingness, nor over freedom. And thus, evil exists. A truly serious and responsible attitude toward life is connected with seeing evil, with acknowledging its existence. Being oblivious to or ignorant of evil makes a person irresponsible and superficial, closing off the depth of life. Denying evil is to lose the freedom of spirit, to shed the burden of freedom."
(source: link )

From this idea, it follows that evil arises not from the absence or shortage of good, but as an inevitable consequence of freedom, which allows a person to make choices. A similar assertion is repeated in another excerpt that contemplates the nature of the world:

"In it there would be no free trials, no free quests. God’s world is full of evil, but at its very foundation lies the freedom of spirit—the greatest good, the mark of man’s divinity. The problem of theodicy can only be resolved through freedom. The mystery of evil is the mystery of freedom. Without an understanding of freedom, the irrational fact of the existence of evil in God’s world cannot be comprehended. At the foundation of the world is an irrational freedom that reaches into the depths of the abyss."
(source: link )

Furthermore, the question of the relationship between good and evil occupies a central place in ethical reflections. As emphasized in one text, ethics should encompass not only the norms of good but an understanding of both states of being:

"Ethics should not be a doctrine about the norms of good, but a doctrine about both good and evil. The problem of evil is just as central to ethics as the problem of good. Traditional theodicy, in essence, does not resolve the problem of evil at all. If the devil is completely subordinate to God and is an instrument of God’s Providential will, if God uses the devil for His benevolent purposes, then, in essence, evil does not exist. This is an entirely optimistic system."
(source: link )

Thus, on one hand, it can be said that evil exists as an inevitable result of freedom, which allows a person to make choices that may sometimes go astray. On the other hand, these reflections emphasize that the problem of evil is interlinked with the problem of good, and their relationship defines the depth of human experience and the possibility of sincere, full development. Even if it seems that good has already been "given away," freedom continues to create a space in which all aspects of existence, including evil, are realized. This is one of the central metaphysical mysteries that unveils the nature of evil in the human world.

Supporting citation(s):
"Freedom is embedded in the dark abyss, in nothingness, but without freedom there is no meaning. Freedom gives rise to evil, just as it does to good. Therefore, evil does not negate the existence of meaning but confirms it. Freedom is not created because it is not nature; freedom precedes the world, it is rooted in the primordial nothingness. God is almighty over being, but not over nothingness, nor over freedom. And thus, evil exists. A truly serious and responsible attitude toward life is connected with seeing evil, with acknowledging its existence. Being oblivious to or ignorant of evil makes a person irresponsible and superficial, closing off the depth of life. Denying evil is to lose the freedom of spirit, to shed the burden of freedom."
(source: link )

"In it there would be no free trials, no free quests. God’s world is full of evil, but at its very foundation lies the freedom of spirit—the greatest good, the mark of man’s divinity. The problem of theodicy can only be resolved through freedom. The mystery of evil is the mystery of freedom. Without an understanding of freedom, the irrational fact of the existence of evil in God’s world cannot be comprehended. At the foundation of the world is an irrational freedom that reaches into the depths of the abyss."
(source: link )

"Ethics should not be a doctrine about the norms of good, but a doctrine about both good and evil. The problem of evil is just as central to ethics as the problem of good. Traditional theodicy, in essence, does not resolve the problem of evil at all. If the devil is completely subordinate to God and is an instrument of God’s Providential will, if God uses the devil for His benevolent purposes, then, in essence, evil does not exist. This is an entirely optimistic system."
(source: link )