Dew And Gould's Response To The Existence Of Evil

Dew and Gould address both the logical and evidential challenges posed by evil, emphasizing the compatibility of God’s existence with the existence of evil in the world. The response by Dew & Gould in evidential reasoning aligns with Pruitt's perspective in "God, Evil, and the Human Good." Pruitt acknowledges the pivotal role of evil in shaping human character and moral development, a viewpoint shared by Dew & Gould. Additionally, Pruitt's arguments resonate with Dew & Gould's response to the logical problem of evil which is highlighted by David Hume's summary. Dew & Gould address this by discussing Alvin Plantinga's argument of free will, emphasizing that the coexistence of evil with God's goodness is due to the gift of free will. In summary,

The issue of evil, a long-standing philosophical challenge, urges us to contemplate the existence of God considering the presence of suffering and malevolence in the world. Upon careful reflection on various arguments and perspectives, I have drawn several conclusions that influence my perspective on the case for God's existence: The presence of evil does not necessarily negate the possibility of God's existence. Classic theists, such as Richard Swinburne, argue that God could permit temporary evils for the sake of the greater good, such as moral growth and overcoming challenges. This viewpoint recognizes that while evil is real and painful, it can serve a purpose within a larger divine plan. The concept of "soul-making" theodicy suggests that God and evil can coexist because suffering shapes human character. Through adversity, individuals develop resilience, empathy, and moral virtues. This argument implies that God's purpose extends beyond providing comfort; it involves our transformation into better versions of ourselves. Divine hiddenness, as explored by Dew & Gould, raises questions about why God doesn't make His existence more