Inherent Evil

[Nils]

No, because it is said in the Silmarillion that they were, in origin, Elves.

What ever gets published first. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

From The Two Towers, Treebeard

But Trolls are only counterfeits, made by the Enemy in the Great Darnkness, in mockery of Ents, as Orcs were of Elves.

If you are going to base your view of Orcs on the Trilogy and your early understanding, then why not believe Orcs to be rational creatures created by the Enemy?

If you are going to base your view of Orcs on the Silmarillion, then I'd think that all of Tolkien's writings that were never published should be taken into consideration.

Oh well, I guess all that can be said is that you go with the early stuff and I go with the later stuff.

One thing your question does bring to mind is the predestination concept of Christianity. The Bible says that the created are not to judge the creator. Of course, that does not hold water with all that are created. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]