Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a narrative review of the historical evolution of the idea of evil from a psychological vantage point and to expand a professional understanding of this phenomenon within the domain of psychodynamic therapy. Research will be presented from classical, historical and literary documents as well as individual interviews with psychologists of various clinical orientations. I will attempt to deconstruct the idea of evil from an array of perspectives and reveal how it may take form within each of these. Evil is a term that is loosely talked about or ignored all together. This study will consider by way of historical and clinical evidence the dangers of ignoring or discrediting evil. Evil, it is theorized, is ever present in the human psyche. Indeed, we might well experience its very presence in the therapeutic hour. Finally, a framework is presented to recognize and work with the problem of evil. My approach has been to deepen our psychological understanding of the problem of evil and to increase our clinical skills in its treatment and amelioration