Evil in Middle-Earth

[Wayfarer]

*blushes and pretends not to notice RÃ*an's comments*

Originally Posted by Telcontar_Dunedain

Does that then make Satan "perfect" evil?

I think Pytt gives a sufficient answer to this, but there is also more that can be said.

The relationship between Good and Evil is Asymmetrical. Evil is derivitive from and requires the existance of Good, but good is not derivitave from Evil. The fallacy of Dualism assumes that since they are opposites, they must be equal, which is false.

Satan, AKA Morgoth, is not the 'Perfect' evil for the reasons that have been stated. He is, however, the greatest evil. This comes about in an odd sort of way, for the fact that Morgoth is the greatest evil arises out of the fact that Melkor was once the greatest good. He was the most powerful of the Ainur, and when he fell, he fell the farthest. Ironically enough, it seems that the more good qualities a creature has initially, the further it is capable of deviating, and the more evil it is capable of. Interesting, no? Thoughts?