Problem of Evil
Critically assess the view that Hicks reworking of Ireanan's
theodicy gives some purpose to natural evil
Soul-Making Theodicy:
Hick's reworking of Irenaeus' theodicy centres around the concept of
soul-making, suggesting that natural evil serves as a means for human
moral and spiritual development. Hick argues that the world exists to
shape our moral character. He argues that the world has a ‘vale of soul-
making. By making good moral decisions and learning from suffering,
humans can turn to God freely. God keeps himself at an epistemic
distance from human beings to ensure that we make free choices and
are not forced to do good deeds.
Hick argues that EVERYONE must achieve moral salvation, if not in
this life then in heaven as In the afterlife, our spiritual journey towards
God continues.
Weakness of Universal salvation - Hicks's Universal salvation is
unfair to justify N evil and therefore doesn't give purpose to NE
The importance of individual moral decisions and the requirement for
personal change is diminished by universal salvation. If everyone is
eventually rescued and reconciled with God, there is no incentive to be
morally good, and so acts have no consequences. If there is no
motivation for moral development, the process of soul-making is lost
because you will end up in heaven eventually. The belief in moral
development is founded on the realisation that there are genuine
repercussions for one's actions. The possibility of everlasting joy or
damnation can provide a powerful incentive for humans to strive for
moral growth and live virtuous lives.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller GuyFawks. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £0.00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.