Privation theory, rooted in classical philosophy and theology (especially Augustine), defines evil not as a positive, independent force but as a lack, absence, or deprivation of good. In this view, evil does not exist on its own; it is understood as the negation of what is good.
These examples exhibit evil as something real and corruptive, rather than just a privation or lack of good:
Physical harm or suffering – Torture, abuse, or injury that has tangible, measurable effects.
Moral corruption – Deliberate acts like lying, stealing, or betrayal that actively degrade ethical integrity.
Psychological trauma – Long-term mental and emotional damage caused by cruelty, neglect, or manipulation.
Systemic injustice – Oppressive structures, such as slavery, genocide, or institutionalized discrimination, that actively cause harm.
Deliberate exploitation – Using others for personal gain in a way that actively diminishes their well-being.
Destruction of life or property – Arson, murder, or other acts that physically eradicate what exists, rather than merely “lacking good.”
Malicious intent – Evil motivated by conscious choice to harm or corrupt rather than arising passively from deficiency.
One can see that privation theory can have the effect of blaming the victim for experiencing evil, treating it as if it is unrelated to good. And more so if God is said to offer help.
Privation theory is not exactly the same as the teaching of the Christian Science Church, which holds that evil and suffering are entirely mental constructs and therefore the fault of the person experiencing them. However, the psychological effect is similarly harmful. Both approaches can imply that the experience of suffering—such as being raped or abused—is not inherently negative, and that the “problem” lies in the circumstances or the victim’s attitude. This makes the approach highly personal and potentially abusive.
While the theoretical underpinnings of these doctrines differ, the practical impact on real people is not meaningfully different. If evil is considered unreal, then in human terms, suffering and wrongdoing can be dismissed as illusory or meaningless. In this sense, whether one calls it a metaphysical illusion or a mental construct, the difference is largely irrelevant to those who experience harm.
Hypothetical test - either/or situation
1 Affirm evil as a real created thing
2 Affirm evil as a lack - a non-thing
2 Affirm evil as neither but an illusion
Which one is left after forgetting two of them?