On Resistance to Evil by Force

On Resistance to Evil by Force by Ivan Ilyin, published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform on November 5, 2018, is a significant philosophical work originally written in 1925. This edition, comprising 242 pages, presents Ilyin’s robust defense of the Orthodox tradition regarding the necessity of physical opposition to evil, countering the pacifist views of Count Leo Tolstoy. Ilyin articulates that when faced with evil that cannot be contained by other means, a forceful response is not only justified but is also a moral obligation.

Readers will find that Ilyin’s treatise addresses the moral complexities surrounding the use of force in the face of evil, emphasizing the importance of heroic courage in fulfilling one’s duty. His insights, initially aimed at the exiled Russian White Army during the civil war, resonate with contemporary audiences as they confront similar challenges in various forms. This translation into English for the first time makes Ilyin’s thoughts accessible to a broader audience, contributing to discussions in philosophy and ethics, particularly within the context of Christian moral philosophy.