Cognitive Explanation of the Problem of Evil: The Role of Cognitive Science in Enriching the Philosophical Dialogue

The problem of evil, as a fundamental normative challenge in the philosophy of religion, argues that the existence of evils in a world created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly benevolent God is paradoxical. This article adopts an interdisciplinary approach to explore the capacities of cognitive science in providing a psychological explanation of the problem of evil. The central research question is: how can cognitive science enhance our understanding of the formation and persistence of the problem of evil in the human mind, and what is the relationship between this psychological explanation and the philosophical response to the normative challenge of evil? The findings, presented through a systematic "four-level explanation," demonstrate that cognitive science—by identifying and analyzing underlying cognitive-affective mechanisms such as the Hyperactive Agency Detection Device (HADD), Theory of Mind (ToM), the affective empathy system, and cognitive biases (e.g., the Just-World Hypothesis and Hindsight Bias)—can offer a comprehensive account of the process through which evil becomes a "problem." This four-level analysis—encompassing the levels of basic cognitive architecture, the dynamic interaction of mechanisms, the psychological function of theodicies, and individual differences—reveals that the paradoxical perception of evil results from the complex interplay of these mechanisms within the architecture of the human mind. Distinguishing between the psychological appeal and the philosophical validity of theodicies is a key achievement of this research, opening new horizons for critiquing and evaluating philosophical arguments. Consequently, cognitive science, by serving as a bridge between the realms of description and justification, enriches the philosophical dialogue on evil.