The Problem of Evil: God, Evil, Suffering, Sin, Meaning of Life, and Philosophy of Religion

RELIGION 401

‘The problem of evil’ as the challenge of reconciling the existence of an absolutely perfect being (Omnipotent, Omniscient, and omnibenevolent God) with the existence of sin and suffering has one of the greatest problems of intellectual history from ancient to modern times. The problem of evil effects the ‘meaning of life’ deeply, so it is not exclusive to the monotheists, and involves atheists as well. This is an introduction to the problem of evil, and explores its major issues and concepts: the logical problem of evil, the evidential problem of evil, soul-making theodicy, natural law theodicy, process theodicy, anti-theodicy, free will defense, reformed epistemology, and skeptical theism.

'The problem of evil' as the challenge of reconciling the existence of an absolutely perfect being (Omnipotent, Omniscient, and omnibenevolent God) with the existence of sin and suffering has one of the greatest problems of intellectual history from ancient to modern times. The problem of evil effects the 'meaning of life' deeply, so it is not exclusive to the monotheists, and involves atheists as well. This is an introduction to the problem of evil, and explores its major issues and concepts: the logical problem of evil, the evidential problem of evil, soul-making theodicy, natural law theodicy, process theodicy, anti-theodicy, free will defense, reformed epistemology, and skeptical theism.
Forest fire
Curriculum Codes
  • CCI
  • EI
Cross-Listed As
  • CULANTH 402
  • ETHICS 402
Typically Offered
Occasionally