Der Gott dieser Welt

This monograph examines two of the most influential philosophies of evil in the history of ideas. The first part is devoted to the thought of Augustine, which is explored in terms of the various definitions of evil – from the privation theory to the doctrine of original sin. The second main part focuses on the connection between ontology, natural philosophy and theodicy in Schelling's “Freiheitsschrift”. It is argued that Schelling radicalises Augustine's doctrine of original sin to the extent that man must choose evil in order to exist. Building on this, the last part directly compares Augustine's doctrine of original sin and Schelling's conception of the intelligible act.