Course info

In this module, we shall take up a close study of the so-called problem of evil. Roughly, the 'problem of evil' is the objection to belief in God, as supremely wise, powerful and good, on the grounds of the existence of evil in our world. For how can there be such a God, given the appalling evils we suffer, both natural and human?

Drawing both on classic texts in the history of philosophy and on contemporary debates in the philosophy of religion, we shall critically examine various formulations of the problem of evil, and the main lines of response put forward. In the course of our study, we shall also advance our understanding of many of the central concepts in the philosophy of religion, including the following: God, faith, theodicy, trial, free will, resignation, spiritual trial, sin and redemption. We shall further pay special attention to phenomenological and ethical dimensions of the problem that have often been neglected in traditional discussions.