On the existentialist and/or phenomenological plane, how is the problem of evil viewed?
Answer Generally, evil is not an external force that has a magical power or presence in the universe (and upon humans). Evil is viewed as a primitive (earlier in human moral development, both individually and culturally) concept that plays a role in the broader, but archaic or mythical worldview. And as such, it is not given any ontological status as an objectively real force in nature. On the social level, however, an individual’s world outlook may purport to give evil the status of something real and it may govern their actions in a very real way, e.g. I won’t steal because it is evil and I will be punished by god. Nevertheless, the existentialist would condemn this world view as one of bad faith since it holds something known to be false as if it were true. In addition, it is the individual, who chooses to adopt this world view in his freedom, yet chooses poorly (bad faith). Much of this analysis is Sartrean but would hold for Heidegger and Nietzsche as well. (N.
