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Proclus' On the Existence of Evils is not a commentary, but helps to compensate for the dearth of Neoplatonist ethical commentaries. The central question addressed in the work is: how can there be evil in a providential world? Neoplatonists agree that it cannot be caused by higher and worthier beings. Plotinus had said that evil is matter, which, unlike Aristotle, he collapsed into mere privation or lack, thus reducing its reality. He also protected higher causes from responsibility by saying that evil may result from a combination of goods. Proclus objects: evil is real, and not a privation. Rather, it is a parasite feeding off good. Parasites have no proper cause, and higher beings are thus vindicated as being the causes only of the good off which evil feeds.

Good and evil --- Bien et mal --- Early works to 1800 --- Ouvrages avant 1800 --- Neoplatonism --- Academic collection --- 091 PROCLUS --- 091 =75 --- 1 <38> PROCLUS LYCIUS, DIADOCHUS --- 87.083 --- Handschriftenkunde. Handschriftencatalogi--PROCLUS --- Handschriftenkunde. Handschriftencatalogi--Grieks --- Griekse filosofie--PROCLUS LYCIUS, DIADOCHUS --- Klassieke literatuur: teksteditie --- 87.083 Klassieke literatuur: teksteditie --- 1 <38> PROCLUS LYCIUS, DIADOCHUS Griekse filosofie--PROCLUS LYCIUS, DIADOCHUS --- 091 =75 Handschriftenkunde. Handschriftencatalogi--Grieks --- 091 PROCLUS Handschriftenkunde. Handschriftencatalogi--PROCLUS