Inherent Evil

[Nils]

From Letter 183

In my story I do not deal in Absolute Evil. I do not think there is such a thing, since that is Zero. I do not think that at any rate any 'rational being' is wholly evil.

If no rational being can be wholly evil, then if Orcs are rational, they can't be completely evil.

If one takes the view that Orcs were talking beasts without a 'rational soul', then Orcs can act in an evil way, but are not evil. In order to be evil, one must first be rational.

[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: Nils ]

[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: Nils ]