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Problem of Evil

Selected Readings

Edited by Michael L. Peterson

Library of Religious Philosophy

“The great merit of this fascinating anthology is that both sides of the argument are always presented through authors who, quite often, stood in direct dialogue with each other. The selections are timely, relevant to the contemporary scene, and both enlightening and engaging.” — CTNS Bulletin

Of all the issues in the philosophy of religion, the problem of evil arguably commands more attention than any other. This text clearly exhibits the main structure of the overall problem as it has been treated in Western theistic traditions.

The Problem of Evil brings together classical and contemporary selections on the problem of evil. The first section presents classic statements of the problem from the Book of Job, Aquinas, Hume, Dostoevsky, Camus, and Wiesel. The second section consists of essays by leading philosophers defining the logical, evidential, and existential versions of the problem of evil and possible responses to each version. Essays in the third section examine perspectives in theodicy, specifically Augustinian, Irenaean, and process theodicies. Essays in the last section examine critical issues related to the problem of evil, such as omnipotence and free will, natural evils and natural law, and the question of whether God must create the best possible world.

MICHAEL L. PETERSON is professor and chair of the philosophy department at Asbury College. He is the author of With All Your Mind, also published by the University of Notre Dame Press.