Abstract

«Si quidem deus est, unde mala? Bona vero unde, si non est?» (“If indeed God exists, whence evil? And if He does not, whence good?µ), pondered Boethius in De Consolatione Philosophiae. This existential quandary often plagues believers, particularly in the wake of catastrophes like the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. The solution proposed by theodicy – ex malo bonum – fails to offer a satisfying resolution. Similarly, even the penetrating gaze of phenomenology, as seen through the eyes of a devout believer like Alessandro Manzoni, struggles to provide one. This essay delves into Manzoni’s nuanced perspective on this matter. Furthermore, given the multifaceted nature of evil, particularly within historical contexts, it examines various manifestations: the trial of alleged plague spreaders in Milan in 1630, the reflection on evil during Christmas in 1833 following the loss of his beloved wife, and the portrayal of malevolent tyranny in I promessi sposi. The overarching conclusion is that the origin of evil remains shrouded in mystery; while its effects can be mitigated, eradication remains elusive.