Knowing Evil

How can philosophy's struggle to understand suffering and evil help us to understand ourselves and our place in the world? Adapted from the critically acclaimed and influential book Evil in Modern Thought by Susan Neiman, this unique documentary film looks at how evil has shaped consciousness throughout the development of the modern world.

Knowing Evil is structured as a series of vignettes that will shed light on cultural beliefs and assumptions surrounding the nature of evil in the modern world. Popular beliefs about evil have changed drastically throughout time. A close look at these changes can offer startling insights into ourselves and our understanding of the world. By looking at the differences between three catastrophic events that influenced the development of the modern world and the stories within that present the problem of evil, the film ultimately seeks to understand what human elements are at play in the war of Good v. Evil that was launched following the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

Interviews with leading philosophers, writers and political thinkers will shape the film and offer new ways of interpreting the world. Alternating between historical analysis of the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, Auschwitz and September 11th, the film will look at the inherent differences in each event while acknowledging the deeply human concerns and fears that each provoked in its time. The understanding gained from these traumatic events will be emphasized in order to bring clarity to present situations. Animation, art history, news and film footage, and new documentary techniques will be used to create an intriguing visual experience as the film asks: What is the nature of evil and how can we create a more meaningful world?


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