Critical Analysis of the Reichenbach’s Theory of Natural Evils Theodicy

Editorial

Authors
Abd-al-Rasoul Kashfi 1
Arezou Mashayekhi 2
1 Associate Professor of University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 MA of Philosophy and Kalam, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.30497/prr.2012.1051
Abstract
Evils found in our world are seemingly inconsistent with the three divine attributes: "omniscience", "omnipotence" and "absolute benevolence". In other words, the four propositions: 1) God is omnipotent. 2) God is omniscient. 3) God is wholly good. 4) Evil exists are seemingly inconsistent. Some of atheists deny the existence of God on the fact that evils exist. There are two versions for "The problem of evil": "The logical problem," and " the evidential problem." Logical problem investigates the consistency or inconsistency of the four propositions, and the evidential problem evaluates the probability of the existence of God according to the amount, intensity and variety of evils. Theists have answered to this problem at two levels: the level of "defense" where, through various reasons, they reject the inconsistency of the four propositions and the level of "theodicy" in which the existence of evils is justified. Evils in the world are divided to "moral evils" and "natural evils”. In this article we will consider the theodicy of "natural laws" which is developed by “Bruce R.Reichenbach, and try to illustrate its superiority to competing theories.
Keywords
The Problem of Evil
Natural Evil
Natural Laws
Theodicy
Bruce R. Reichenbach
پیترسون، مایکل، و دیگران (1376)، عقل و اعتقاد دینی (درآمدی بر فلسفة دین)، ترجمة احمد نراقی و ابراهیم سلطانی، تهران: طرح نو.
پیلین، دیوید. ای (1383)، مبانی فلسفة دین، ترجمة گروه مترجمان، ویراستة سید محمود موسوی، قم: مؤسسة بوستان کتاب، چاپ اوّل.
دیویس، برایان (1386)، درآمدی بر فلسفة دین، ترجمة ملیحه صابری نجف­آبادی، تهران: سازمان مطالعه و تدوین کتب علوم انسانی دانشگاه­ها (سمت)؛ مرکز تحقیق و توسعة علوم انسانی، ویرایش دوم، چاپ اوّل.
هیک، جان (1372)، فلسفة دین، ترجمة بهرام راد، تهران: انتشارات بین­المللی الهدی، چاپ اوّل.
Augustine (2009), The City of God, Trans. by Marcus Dods.
Eddy, Mary Baker (2007), Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Forgotten Books.
Geach, Peter Thomas (1980), Logic Matters, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press.
James, William (1928), A Pluralistic Universe, New York, London, Bombay and Calcutta: Longmans, Green & Co.
Plantinga Alvin (1974-a), God, Freedom and Evil, New York: Harper & Row.
Ibid (1974 b), The Nature of Necessity, London: Oxford University Press.
Reichanbach, Bruse R. (1995), Evil and a Good God, USA: Fordham University Press.
Ibid (1989), "Karma, Causation, and Divine Intervention", Philosophy East and West, vol.39, No.2.
Ibid (1988), "The Law of Karma and Principle of Causation", Philosophy East and West, vol.38, No. 4.
Swinburne, Richard (2004), The Existence of God, 2ed, New York: Oxford University Press.
Wainwright, William J. (1998), Philosophy of Religion, 2ed, Canada: University of Wisconsin.
Philosophy of Religion Research
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
November 2011
Pages 113-133