Inherent Evil

[Lord of Angmar]

It seems I have done an inadequate job of explaining myself and defending Gwaihir's viewpoint (which I think is very similar to my own on this subject).

First off, let me start with one idea that I know to be a belief of Tolkien, or at least a fact in Tolkien's book (unfortunately I cannot find The Letters of JRR Tolkien so I am unable to recite the exact text, but bear with me). Iluvatar, the Creator, has the ability to see and fully comprehend the minds of any of the beings within the world that he created. His mind encompasses all realms of thought and all conceivable viewpoints.

Gwaihir says that Melkor's mind is contained within Iluvatar's mind. That is more than just knowledge of evil. That actually contains evil itself.

The minds of all of Iluvatar's creations can be read and understood by Iluvatar Himself, so in a sense Melkor's mind is a part of Iluvatar's mind. I do not think that Gwaihir meant this to mean that in some realm of his brain Iluvatar thinks similarly to Melkor, that there is a part of his brain trying to break free, as it were, and act evilly. It is my understanding that he simply meant that Melkor's mind is reflected in Iluvatar's mind, since Iluvatar can see the minds of all others. And since Melkor was born of Iluvatar, who is the creator of all and understands all, then Melkor's mind would certainly make up a part of Iluvatar's thought.

I think that this topic would certainly qualify as an excellent topic for an essay, but I have just hastily thrown together my ideas. I hope you can understand them and glean something from them, Nils, and Gwaihir, I hope that I have not entirely misrepresented your train of thought.

[ August 03, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ]