Overview
The text for this class is:
Title: Philosophy Here and Now: Powerful Ideas in Everyday Life Edition: Fourth (4th) Author: Lewis Vaughn
Publisher: Oxford University Press
⁞ Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn about the argument against theism known as “the problem of evil,” which asks, “If God exists, how can there be so much unnecessary evil in the world?”
⁞ Objectives
- Understand Rowe’s argument from evil and some major criticisms of it.
- Critically examine the free will defense.
- Explain and evaluate Hick’s soul-making theodicy.
⁞ Readings
- Read Chapter 2.3: God and the Problem of Evil.
Instructions
Read the assigned reading from the chapter. Then choose ONE of the questions below to answer. Answer the question you chose in a response that is a minimum of 1-2 paragraphs. Be sure to explain your answers and give reasons for your views
- Do you agree with Rowe that it seems unlikely that all instances of intense human and animal suffering lead to greater good? And do you think that if all that suffering does lead to greater goods, that "an omnipotent, omniscient being could not have achieved at least some of those goods without permitting the instances of suffering that lead to them"?
- According to Hick, what is the "soul-making process"? Is it, as he says, of such great value that it justifies all the human and animal suffering involved in it?
- Do you think Rowe's criticism of the soul-making theodicy is cogent? Can you conceive of a world that has slightly less suffering than our world has, yet in which plenty of soul-making takes place? Explain.
Note: All journal entries must be submitted as attachments (in Microsoft Word format) in order to generate an originality report.