The Problem of Evil: The Gifford Lectures Delivered in the University of St Andrews in 2003

by Peter van Inwagen

Book Overview

It is generally supposed that the fact that the world contains a vast amount of suffering, much of it truly horrible suffering, confronts those who believe in an all-powerful and benevolent Creator with a serious problem: to explain why such a Creator would permit this. Many reflective people are convinced that the problem, the problem of evil, is insoluble. The reasons that underlie this conviction can be formulated as a powerful argument for the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199543976
• ISBN13: 9780199543977
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Worth the Read

The book is clear and easy to understand. However, I felt that the book dragged on too long before it got to the "meat" of the argument; by the word "meat", I mean the crux of the PoE. Perhaps my impatience hails from my familarity with the issue, and if that's true, then I encourage readers who are not acquainted with the PoE to ignore my criticism. But, for those of you who are familiar with the PoE, you need not worry because the latter half of the book is worth the purchase.

Continually Impressed

From my first encounter with his writing, to my recent experience of this particular book, I have been thoroughly impressed with Van Inwagen's logical rigor, originality, but more so, his candor. I find it very refreshing. In particular, his elaboration of what it means for a philosophical argument to succeed [or fail] may be the most honest and original thread in a philosophical text that I have come across in recent years. Himself being an academic philosopher, initially one might imagine that he has a great deal riding on producing "successful" arguments (i.e. knock-down drag-out invincible proofs), but he is frank enough to admit that in most instances the philosopher [himself included] cannot do so successfully. He suggests that one has the much more modest project, not of attempting to convert one that holds to the contrary position, per se, but rather, persuading the "ideal agnostic" to move toward ones own position. The merits of Van Inwagen's discussion of philosophical failure aside, this book is one of the most interesting treatments of the "problem of evil" I have had the opportunity to read. Avoiding the typical breakdown [into the Logical and Evidential arguments], he proceeds on a more idiosyncratic path, while remaining sensitive to the expectations of his hearers. He does treat the more common material/themes that one finds in these discussions, but he addresses them differently. Simply, PROBLEM OF EVIL is thorough, honest, original, and flat-out brilliant. I cannot recommend this book too highly to those interested in the "problem of evil." Buy it, read it, and then read it again...it is definitely worth it. My brief explanation does not do it justice...read for yourself, and see what I am talking about. Also, read his ESSAY ON FREE WILL...it is just as impressive.

Evil and God, No Problem!

Review of Peter van Inwagen's The Problem of Evil Peter van inwagen provides a useful contribution to the growing literature dealing with the logical problem of evil. Inwagen's book is a collection of eight Gifford lectures delivered at the University of St Andrews in the spring of 2003. The prose of this book is often impressive, the reasoning lucid and the arguments are generally compelling. Inwagen carefully analyzes the term "evil" in order to clear away manifold confusions surrounding the concept. Before showing the deficiencies in arguing that since evil exists, God does not exist, Inwagen proffers his idea of God. That is, he suggests that there are certain attributes that God should possess in order to be the maximally excellent being, that than which a greater cannot be conceived. He subsequently offers a definition and analysis of "philosophical failure," introduces new distinctions vis-a-vis evil (local vs. global evil), addresses the subject of animal suffering, predation and the so-called hiddenness of God. Most of The Problem of Evil is fairly easy to understand, if one is familiar with the nomenclature of metaphysics or systematic theology. Inwagen frames a number of his arguments in dialogical form by creating dramatis personae Theist and Atheist, who argue about the logical problem of evil in front of an imaginary neutral crowd. The dialogue is interesting, to a point, though I believe that van Inwagen tries to be too clever at times. Moreover, I would not call his arguments conclusive, in any sense of the word, but the read is overall enjoyable and enlightening. Finally, I must say that the author does provide compelling evidence that the counterfactuals of freedom notion cannot be used to place God in a bad light. For even if God does have middle knowledge (SCIENTIA MEDIA), there is no guarantee that the supposed counterfactuals of freedom will allow God to create a world in which humans always do what is right and never commit evil acts. This idea reminds one of Alvin Plantinga's transworld depravity notion. See Inwagen's work for further details. In the final analysis, I believe that van Inwagen shows the failure of the logical problem of evil argument and he demonstrates (plausibly) that one cannot argue from evil to the non-existence of God. The argument simply will not work.