What is the Difference Between Moral Evil and Natural Evil

The main difference between moral evil and natural evil is that moral evil refers to the willful evil acts of human beings such as murder and theft, whereas natural evil refers to natural disasters, diseases, or genetic defects that result in pain and suffering.

In various religions, evil has different definitions. In all these definitions, evil causes human suffering. We can categorize evil into two broad categories as moral evil and natural evil. These are evil events or acts for which human or supernatural agents are responsible.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Moral Evil
– Definition, Features, Examples
2. What is Natural Evil
– Definition, Features, Examples
3. Relationship Between Moral Evil and Natural Evil
– Definition, Features, Examples
4. Difference Between Moral Evil and Natural Evil
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Moral Evil, Natural Evil

What is Moral Evil

Moral evil refers to the willful evil acts of human beings such as murder and theft. As its name suggests, these acts are morally wrong. Murder, rape, theft, dishonesty, an act of injustice, and war are some examples of moral evil.

Moral evil always has a human perpetrator and a victim or victims who suffer. It’s also important to note that an act of moral evil can be carried out intentionally or in negligence. Both cases cause pain and suffering in victims.

What is Natural Evil

Natural evil refers to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, and famines. It can also include fatal diseases and birth defects. Unlike moral evil, natural evil does not have perpetrators and has only victims. Natural evil inflicts suffering on its victims, with no accompanying mitigating good. More importantly, natural evil is generally considered to be the result of natural processes. Furthermore, here we identify the word ‘evil’ from the perspective of the victims and those who consider it as an affliction.

In most religions, the God or deities are considered to be responsible for natural evil. For example, in Christianity, God is considered as the ultimate creator and perpetrator of natural evil since all natural objects and phenomena such as rain, snow, thunder, wind, and stars are under God’s command. In fact, in the bible, natural evils like floods, famine, and earthquakes are ascribed to God.

However, modern understanding of nature has given rise to the question of whether natural disasters like floods and droughts are entirely natural or complicated by the collective actions of humans. For example, global warming is a direct cause of many natural disasters we have faced in the recent past. But it’s also important to note that humans have faced various natural disasters after the Industrial Revolution, which is known as the starting point of global warming. In modern times, human actions always tend to aggravate the evil effects of natural disasters.

Relationship Between Moral Evil and Natural Evil

Both moral evil and natural evil can cause pain and suffering. Sometimes, moral and natural evil can work together, and moral evil can aggregate natural evil. For example, when there is a drought, and the policies of the government can make food shortages for the poorest people worse.

Difference Between Moral Evil and Natural Evil

Definition

Moral evil refers to the willful evil acts of human beings such as murder and theft, whereas natural evil refers to natural disasters, diseases, or genetic defects that result in pain and suffering.

Example

Murder, rape, theft, dishonesty, acts of injustice, and war are some examples of moral evil, whereas earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, famines, diseases and birth defects are some examples of natural evil.

Perpetrator

While moral evil has human perpetrators, natural evil does not. Moreover, according to some religions, it is the divine forces that cause natural evil.

Conclusion

Moral evil refers to the willful evil acts of human beings, such as murder and theft, whereas natural evil refers to natural disasters, diseases, or genetic defects that result in pain and suffering. While moral evil has human perpetrators, natural evil does not. Thus, this is the main difference between moral evil and natural evil.