Invention of good and evil

A few days ago, amid the gentle breezes and blossoming vitality of spring, I returned to Beijing to attend two important conferences: the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries and the Conference for Chiefs of Overseas Missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

Today is Holy Thursday, the beginning of the four-day commemoration of the Passion and Death of Christ. The week begins with the Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and moves on to Good Friday with the Crucifixion and Death. It ends with the glorious festival of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

This is the eternal story of the sacrifice of Christ to make up for the evil in the world. For me, it is also the triumphant story of good eventually defeating evil.

The first thing that attracted me to purchase the book was its title, "The Invention of Good and Evil: A World History of Morality." After all, I was raised and educated to believe that good and evil are not invented.

Sauer presents a thought-provoking exploration of morality, tracing its historical development and questioning its origins. The book challenges the conventional perception of ethics as absolute, arguing instead that moral constructs are largely influenced by societal needs, historical circumstances and human psychology. By weaving together philosophy, history and cognitive science, Sauer provides a compelling narrative that invites readers to reconsider the foundations of morality itself.

"Morality is a tool that helps us navigate social life, but it is not carved in stone. It has changed before, and it will change again."