Sallustius' argument that there cannot be any particular source of positive evil has five parts:
The Gods are not evil, by definition.
Mind is not evil, because the nature of mind is that "evil mind" is actually a "lack of mind."
Soul is not evil, because it is superior to body and body is not evil.
Body is not evil. [No reason is given.]
No combination of the above is evil, since "good + good = evil" is absurd.
[1] is an axiom from earlier in the work. I'll also grant the logic of [3] and [5]. (In fact, it seems to me that [3] should apply to the Gods and Mind as well.) But I don't understand what is being said in [2], and no justification is given for [4] at all!
Does anybody else follow those parts of the argument? If not, I may have to take Nock's suggestion and go to Proclus next...
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Date: 2022-01-19 01:57 pm (UTC)- The Gods are not evil, by definition.
- Mind is not evil, because the nature of mind is that "evil mind" is actually a "lack of mind."
- Soul is not evil, because it is superior to body and body is not evil.
- Body is not evil. [No reason is given.]
- No combination of the above is evil, since "good + good = evil" is absurd.
[1] is an axiom from earlier in the work. I'll also grant the logic of [3] and [5]. (In fact, it seems to me that [3] should apply to the Gods and Mind as well.) But I don't understand what is being said in [2], and no justification is given for [4] at all!Does anybody else follow those parts of the argument? If not, I may have to take Nock's suggestion and go to Proclus next...