There are numerous other philosophical approaches to theodicy. There is, for example, the view that evil is not an actually existent reality but rather the absence of some good, such as sight, health, love, or moral virtue.
What is a theodicy?
A theodicy is often based on a prior natural theology, which attempts to prove the existence of God, and seeks to demonstrate that God's existence remains probable after the problem of evil is posed by giving a justification for God's permitting evil to happen.
What is an anti theodicy in the Bible?
An anti-theodicy acts in opposition to a theodicy and places full blame for all experience of evil onto God, but must rise from an individual's belief in and love of God. Anti-theodicy has been likened to Job's protests in the Book of Job.
Is there an alternative to theodicy?
In the same vein, Nick Trakakis observes that “theodical discourse can only add to the world’s evils, not remove or illuminate them.” As an alternative to theodicy, some theologians have advocated “reflection on tragedy” as a more befitting reply to evil.
What are some good books about theodicy in the Bible?
Theodicy in Habakkuk. United Kingdom: Paternoster. ^ Scott, Mark S. M. (2015). Pathways in Theodicy: An Introduction to the Problem of Evil. Fortress Press. ISBN 978-1-4514-6470-2. ^ a b Linafelt, Tod, ed. (2000). Strange Fire: Reading the Bible After the Holocaust. New York University Press. ISBN 0-8147-5165-2. ^ Pinnock, Sarah K. (2002).
What is theodicy in simple words?
Definition of theodicy : defense of God's goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil.
What is the most popular theodicy?
free will theodicyThe most common theodicy is free will theodicy, which lays the blame for all moral evil and some natural evil on humanity's misuse of its free will.
What are the types of theodicy?
The basic approaches to theodicy can be said to take three forms: logical/deductive, evidential/inductive, and existential.
What is the main question of theodicy?
While the question of theodicy is now most commonly posed as an atheistic challenge to religious belief, the question itself is about human experience in a world that often feels out of control, unfair and full of injustice. It is the fundamental question of human existence.
What is another name for theodicy?
In this page you can discover 5 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for theodicy, like: natural theology, thomistic, kenosis, eschatology and soteriology.
Is job a theodicy?
The Book of Job is a theodicy, in which the goodness of God is juxtaposed with a world that is overflowing with suffering. The structure is a wisdom dialogue in which the main character expresses his dissatisfaction and unwarranted suffering towards others, even God himself.
What are two Theodicies?
the Augustinian theodicy, which Hick based on the writings of Augustine of Hippo. the Irenaean theodicy, which Hick developed, based on the thinking of St. Irenaeus.
What is the importance of theodicy?
Theodicies are designed to provide explanations for evil and to enable people to hold on to the possibility of God in the midst of pain and suffering and seek to provide complex philosophical and theological arguments to justify and sustain the idea that there is logic in believing in a God who is perfectly good, all ...
What is free will theodicy?
The Free Will Theodicy (FWT) attempts to defeat the Argument from Evil by claiming that the suffering of the innocent (SOI) is justified by the existence of free will (FW).
What is the soul making theodicy?
Soul-making is the theory that evil has to exist so that humans can develop their souls by living and becoming good, moral people. It gives humans a chance to learn from suffering and develop moral virtues.
How do you use the word theodicy in a sentence?
Theodicy is the problem of how to reconcile a just God with a world containing evil. It is impossible for her to produce a theodicy for horrendous infant suffering.
What is the solution to the problem of evil?
From an atheistic viewpoint, the problem of evil is solved in accordance with the principle of Occam's razor: the existence of evil and suffering is reconciled with the assumption that an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God exists by assuming that no God exists.
What is St Augustine's theodicy?
The Augustinian theodicy is a response to the evidential problem of evil, which raises the concern that if God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent, there should be no evil in the world. Evidence of evil can call into question God's nature or his existence – he is either not omnipotent, not benevolent, or does not exist.
What is the free will theodicy?
The Free Will Theodicy (FWT) attempts to defeat the Argument from Evil by claiming that the suffering of the innocent (SOI) is justified by the existence of free will (FW).
What is the soul making theodicy?
Soul-making is the theory that evil has to exist so that humans can develop their souls by living and becoming good, moral people. It gives humans a chance to learn from suffering and develop moral virtues.
What is the importance of theodicy?
Theodicies are designed to provide explanations for evil and to enable people to hold on to the possibility of God in the midst of pain and suffering and seek to provide complex philosophical and theological arguments to justify and sustain the idea that there is logic in believing in a God who is perfectly good, all ...
What are the three types of theodicy?from en.wikipedia.org
For theodicies of suffering, Weber argued that three different kinds of theodicy emerged— predestination, dualism, and karma —all of which attempt to satisfy the human need for meaning, and he believed that the quest for meaning, when considered in light of suffering, becomes the problem of suffering.
What is theodicy in philosophy?from gotquestions.org
Theodicy is a branch of philosophy dealing with the issue of evil in light of the existence of God. If God is just and holy and good, then how do evil and misery exist? That’s the question theodicy wrestles with.
What is the purpose of cosmodicy and anthropodicy?from en.wikipedia.org
A cosmodicy attempts to justify the fundamental goodness of the universe in the face of evil, and an anthropodicy attempts to justify the fundamental goodness of human nature in the face of the evils produced by humans.
What is the difference between a cosmodicy and an anthropodicy?from en.wikipedia.org
Similar to a theodicy, a cosmodicy attempts to justify the fundamental goodness of the universe, and an anthropodicy attempts to justify the goodness of humanity.
What is the theodicy of Augustine?from en.wikipedia.org
The Protestant and Reformed reading of Augustinian theodicy, as promoted primarily by John Hick, is based on the writings of Augustine of Hippo, a Christian philosopher and theologian who lived from AD 354 to 430. The Catholic (pre-reformation) formulation of the same issue is substantially different and is outlined below. In Hick's approach, this form of theodicy argues that evil does not exist except as a privation —or corruption—of goodness, and therefore God did not create evil. Augustinian scholars have argued that God created the world perfectly, with no evil or human suffering. Evil entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve and the theodicy casts the existence of evil as a just punishment for this original sin. The theodicy argues that humans have an evil nature in as much as it is deprived of its original goodness, form, order, and measure due to the inherited original sin of Adam and Eve, but still ultimately remains good due to existence coming from God, for if a nature was completely evil (deprived of the good), it would cease to exist. It maintains that God remains blameless and good.
What does the contrast theodicy hold?from en.wikipedia.org
The Contrast Theodicy holds that evil is needed to enable people to appreciate or understand good.
What is theodicy in the book of Ezekiel?from en.wikipedia.org
Theodicy in the book of Ezekiel (and also in Jeremiah 31:29-30) confronts the concept of personal moral responsibility. "The main point is stated at the beginning and at the end—"the soul that sins shall die"—and is explicated by a case history of a family traced through three generations." It is not about heredity but is about understanding divine justice in a world under divine governance. : 82
What is theodicy in philosophy?
Theodicy is a branch of philosophy dealing with the issue of evil in light of the existence of God. If God is just and holy and good, then how do evil and misery exist? That’s the question theodicy wrestles with.
What is rational theodicy?
A truly rational theodicy has to begin with the admission that our dislike of something does not make it false. The question is not whether God is compatible with our personal preferences. The problem of evil is simply the debate over whether or not God is logically possible.
What is the biggest hurdle in discussing theodicy?
The biggest hurdle in discussing theodicy is a tendency to waffle on the definitions of certain words. Or to color certain words with a meaning that is not part of the argument. So, in order to really understand the concept of theodicy, one has to carefully define his terms and then stick to those definitions. What evil is, is “not”.
Is God's goodness logical?
The first problem with this view of God’s goodness is logic al. The second is personal. Logically, if God is perfect, then anything different from Him, in any way, is no longer perfect. You cannot change absolute, complete perfection and still be absolutely and completely perfect.
Do philosophers have experience?
Of course, most people have no experience with philosophers. They do, however, watch movies, and a slightly modified version of this idea came from the character of Lex Luthor in a recent action film:
Does theodicy make God agree with our whims?
But theodicy is not a question of making God agree with our whims. What we cannot say, logically, is that, if God does not act according to our moral preferences, then He cannot exist in moral perfection. This makes the critic the ultimate standard of morality!
Who was the English mystic who resolved the problem of the Last Day?
The English mystic Julian of Norwich (born 1342) resolved this problem by noting that part of the bliss and fulfilment of those who are saved will be that, at the Last Day, they will see the true reason why God has done all the things he has and the reason too for all the things he has permitted.
What are the three evils of Leibniz?
According to Leibniz, there are three forms of evil in the world: moral, physical, and metaphysical. Using Augustine’s analogy of a picture with dark patches (what strikes one as ugly in itself may nevertheless add beauty to the whole), Leibniz argues that it is best to have a world of rich variety and “plenitude.”.
What are the three types of theodicy?
For theodicies of suffering, Weber argued that three different kinds of theodicy emerged— predestination, dualism, and karma —all of which attempt to satisfy the human need for meaning, and he believed that the quest for meaning, when considered in light of suffering, becomes the problem of suffering.
What does theodicy mean in philosophy?
Philosophy of religion article index. v. t. e. Theodicy ( / θiːˈɒdɪsi /) means vindication of God. It is to answer the question of why a good God permits the manifestation of evil, thus resolving the issue of the problem of evil. Some theodicies also address the evidential problem of evil by attempting "to make the existence of an all-knowing, ...
What is the difference between a cosmodicy and an anthropodicy?
Similar to a theodicy, a cosmodicy attempts to justify the fundamental goodness of the universe, and an anthropodicy attempts to justify the goodness of humanity.
What is theodicy in the book of Ezekiel?
Theodicy in the book of Ezekiel (and also in Jeremiah 31:29-30) confronts the concept of personal moral responsibility. "The main point is stated at the beginning and at the end—"the soul that sins shall die"—and is explicated by a case history of a family traced through three generations." It is not about heredity but is about understanding divine justice in a world under divine governance. : 82
Why did Gottfried Leibniz coin the term "theodicy"?
Gottfried Leibniz coined the term "theodicy" in an attempt to justify God's existence in light of the apparent imperfections of the world. Theodicy ( / θiːˈɒdɪsi /) means vindication of God. It is to answer the question of why a good God permits the manifestation of evil, thus resolving the issue of the problem of evil.
Which theodicy was Hick based on?
the Plotinian theodicy, named after Plotinus. the Augustinian theodicy, which Hick based on the writings of Augustine of Hippo. the Irenaean theodicy, which Hick developed, based on the thinking of St. Irenaeus. The problem was also analyzed by pre-modern theologians and philosophers in the Islamic world.
When was theodicy written?
In the Middle Kingdom of Egypt (2000 BC to 1700 BC), as in Ancient Mesopotamian and Israelite literature, theodicy was an important issue.
What are the three types of theodicy?from en.wikipedia.org
For theodicies of suffering, Weber argued that three different kinds of theodicy emerged— predestination, dualism, and karma —all of which attempt to satisfy the human need for meaning, and he believed that the quest for meaning, when considered in light of suffering, becomes the problem of suffering.
What is the most influential theodicy ever constructed?from en.wikipedia.org
This free-will theodicy is "perhaps the most influential theodicy ever constructed," and it is currently "the most common theodicy". Explaining the free-will theodicy, Nick Trakakis writes that "the free will theodicist proceeds to explain the existence of moral evil as a consequence of the misuse of our freedom.".
What is the difference between a cosmodicy and an anthropodicy?from en.wikipedia.org
Similar to a theodicy, a cosmodicy attempts to justify the fundamental goodness of the universe, and an anthropodicy attempts to justify the goodness of humanity.
What is the theodicy of Augustine?from en.wikipedia.org
The Protestant and Reformed reading of Augustinian theodicy, as promoted primarily by John Hick, is based on the writings of Augustine of Hippo, a Christian philosopher and theologian who lived from AD 354 to 430. The Catholic (pre-reformation) formulation of the same issue is substantially different and is outlined below. In Hick's approach, this form of theodicy argues that evil does not exist except as a privation —or corruption—of goodness, and therefore God did not create evil. Augustinian scholars have argued that God created the world perfectly, with no evil or human suffering. Evil entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve and the theodicy casts the existence of evil as a just punishment for this original sin. The theodicy argues that humans have an evil nature in as much as it is deprived of its original goodness, form, order, and measure due to the inherited original sin of Adam and Eve, but still ultimately remains good due to existence coming from God, for if a nature was completely evil (deprived of the good), it would cease to exist. It maintains that God remains blameless and good.
What does theodicy mean in philosophy?from en.wikipedia.org
Philosophy of religion article index. v. t. e. Theodicy ( / θiːˈɒdɪsi /) means vindication of God. It is to answer the question of why a good God permits the manifestation of evil, thus resolving the issue of the problem of evil. Some theodicies also address the evidential problem of evil by attempting "to make the existence of an all-knowing, ...
What does the contrast theodicy hold?from en.wikipedia.org
The Contrast Theodicy holds that evil is needed to enable people to appreciate or understand good.
What is the best of all possible worlds theology?from en.wikipedia.org
The Best of all Possible Worlds Theodicy, a traditional theology, argues that the creation is the best of all possible worlds. The Original Sin Theodicy holds that evil came into the world because of humanity's original sin. The Ultimate Harmony Theodicy justifies evil as leading to “good long-range consequences”.
Evil In Macbeth Essay
It is supposed of them to do and say unnatural things, and thus are to not be taken as seriously as other characters. In fact, the witches can be analyzed as not being evil characters at all. They were merely supernatural prophets that set the plot into motion.
Essay On The Witches In Macbeth
The prophecy was an escape route for the little bit of good that he had within him so that the murder of King Duncan would be justifiable because the witches said that he would. All of these sick and demented thoughts drove Macbeth to kill all of those people but there is also another layer on the downfall of
Hamlet Scene 5 Analysis
Hamlet’s worst fears about his uncle are confirmed. The ghost exhorts Hamlet to seek revenge, telling him that Claudius has corrupted Denmark and corrupted Gertrude, having taken her from the pure love of her first marriage and seduced her in their incestuous union. But the ghost urges Hamlet not to act against his mother in any
Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 Analysis
She also questions the witches as to why she was not called to take part in plotting the downfall of Macbeth, evident by her statement; “To trade and traffic … Or show the glory of our art?” The words “trade” and “traffic” (of riddles and affairs of death) highlight the fact that Hecate and the weird sisters are not new to spouting prophecies, spreading evil, and destroying noble men, and have probably been the cause of the downfall of men like Macbeth.
How Are Beowulf And Odysseus Alike
An epic poem is a long narrative poem that is usually about heroic deeds and events that are significant to the culture of the poet. The epic hero is the central figure that reflects the values and heroic ideals of a particular society. Beowulf and Odysseus have qualities that are both similar and very different.
How Did Shakespeare Decide To Kill Duncan In Macbeth
Macbeth chose to kill King Duncan on his own accord. His wife Lady Macbeth may have helped him come up with the plan and urged him on, it was his own hand that held the knife. Although without the witches there to inform Macbeth that one day he would be king, he may have gone down a completely different path.
What does theodicy focus on?
The Judgment of God: Many theodicy discussions tend to focus on "innocent" suffering and experiences of profound evil while ignoring the profound sinfulness embedded in individuals, in ideas and belief systems, and in social structures. God acts to judge these—both in this life and in the next.
Why is theodicy misfounded?
For others, theodicy is misfounded because one cannot "justify" the supreme being. X. Sapiential Theodicy: This practice explores the skeptical limitations of human understanding. Following the Hebraic stance of wisdom as dialectical, sapiential thought recognizes God is both the giver and taker of wisdom.
What is the practical existential theodicy?
The practical, existential theodicy is more concerned with providing answers for those who suffer in specific circumstances. Often, the existential problem turns from asking why God allow such-and-such an evil to what can humans made in the image of God do to alleviate or make manageable suffering and evil.
What is the Theology of the Cross?
A Theology of the Cross: Contained in each view of the suffering of God above is a suggestion that in some fundamental way the work of the cross is God’s answer (or one of his answers) to the problem of evil, even that the cross is the only justification God gives of his responsibility for the existence of evil.
What is logical defense?
Strictly speaking, a logical defense is not making claims about how God actually works as much as showing that the atheistic charges can be meet. Having said this, the insights of the defenders and those of the theodicists often overlap, and the term "theodicy" is often used to describe defenses as well.
Is the logical problem of evil deductive?
The Logical Problem of Evil: The logical problem of evil is a deductive one. Namely, given the above problem (God is loving, all powerful and all knowing, yet evil exists), is it rational to believe in the existence of God? God exists, is all good, all knowing, and all powerful.
Overview
History
The term theodicy was coined by the German philosopher Gottfried Leibniz in his 1710 work, written in French, Essais de Théodicée sur la bonté de Dieu, la liberté de l'homme et l'origine du mal (Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man and the Origin of Evil). Leibniz's Théodicée was a response to skeptical Protestant philosopher Pierre Bayle, who wrote in his work Dictionnaire Historique et Critique that, after rejecting three attempts to solve it, he saw …
Definition and etymology
As defined by Alvin Plantinga, theodicy is the "answer to the question of why God permits evil". Theodicy is defined as a theological construct that attempts to vindicate God in response to the problem of evil that appears inconsistent with the existence of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God. Another definition of theodicy is the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil. The word theodicy derives from the Greek words Θεός, Τheos and δίκη, dikē…
Reasons for theodicy
Theodicies are developed to answer the question of why a good God permits the manifestation of evil, thus resolving the issue of the problem of evil. Some theodicies also address the problem of evil "to make the existence of an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-good or omnibenevolent God consistent with the existence of evil or suffering in the world".
The philosopher Richard Swinburne says "most theists need a theodicy, [they need] an account o…
Alternatives
In 1998, Jewish theologian Zachary Braiterman coined the term anti-theodicy in his book (God) After Auschwitz to describe Jews, both in a biblical and post-Holocaust context, whose response to the problem of evil is protest and refusal to investigate the relationship between God and suffering. An anti-theodicy acts in opposition to a theodicy and places full blame for all experience of evil onto God, but must rise from an individual's belief in and love of God. Anti-theodicy has be…
See also
• Augustinian theodicy
• Dystheism
• Irenaean theodicy
• Misotheism
• Problem of hell
General and cited references
• Adams, Marilyn McCord (1999). Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God. Cornell University Press. ISBN 978-0-80148-686-9.
• Ashley, J. Matthew (2010). "Reading the universe story theologically: the contribution of a biblical narrative imagination". Theological Studies. 71 (4): 870–902. doi:10.1177/004056391007100405. S2CID 55990053.
External links
• Brown, Paterson. "Religious Morality", Mind, 1963.
• Brown, Paterson. "Religious Morality: A Reply to Flew and Campbell", Mind, 1964.
• Brown, Paterson. "God and the Good", Religious Studies, 1967.
• Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Theodicy". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.