The problem of theodicy is a philosophical classic. This chapter argues that not only are the classical answers suspect, but that the question itself is problematic. In its classical form, the problem presupposes a conception of divinity—call it “perfect-being theology”—that does not go without saying. Even so, there is a significant gap between what the western religions seem to tell us about the reign of justice and what we seem to find in the world. The chapter argues that approaches to evil need to maintain focus on this discrepancy. This chapter concludes with some suggestions for the...

The problem of theodicy is a philosophical classic. This chapter argues that not only are the classical answers suspect, but that the question itself is problematic. In its classical form, the problem presupposes a conception of divinity—call it “perfect-being theology”—that does not go without saying. Even so, there is a significant gap between what the western religions seem to tell us about the reign of justice and what we seem to find in the world. The chapter argues that approaches to evil need to maintain focus on this discrepancy. This chapter concludes with some suggestions for the shape of “non-opiate” ways of coming to terms with evil.