The Fluid Presence of Evil: Moral Ambiguity in the Therapeutic Space

This article examines the complex manifestations of evil within the therapeutic encounter, challenging traditional dichotomous understandings of good and evil in medical practice. Drawing from kabbalistic philosophy, phenomenology, and contemporary theological discourse, we explore how evil presents itself both as an external force permeating healthcare systems and as an internal reality within the physician-healer. We have previously attempted to articulate a framework for understanding these dynamics through "therapeutic orthodoxy"—a methodological approach that operates at the boundaries between traditional religious thought and contemporary healing practice. This analysis demonstrates how recognizing the fluid presence of evil in therapeutic relationships can paradoxically enhance rather than diminish the capacity for authentic healing