Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Payame Nor University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Farabi Campus of Tehran University, Qom, Iran
Abstract
One of the critical issues addressed by David Griffin, which has been a significant concern for him, is the question of divine benevolence and its relation to the problem of evil. This paper employs an analytical and argumentative approach. We aim to engage with Griffin’s assertion that, contrary to popular belief, God’s benevolence contributes to the existence of evil in the world. Griffin argues that a benevolent and creative God encourages the world to experience higher and more thrilling values, moving it beyond a state of stagnation and inertia. However, this divine intention leads to the existence of evil, as every being, in its alignment with God’s overarching purpose of achieving greater good for the world, possesses self-determining power, which inherently brings the risk of evil. In another view, Griffin maintains that God, faced with such evils, is a companion to human suffering rather than a mere observer of worldly evils. This study concludes that Griffin’s view is ultimately indefensible due to its minimization of moral good in favor of aesthetic good, and the prevalence of evil in the world resulting from a God who is not omnipotent.
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