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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that There is every reason to expect that a perfectly good and loving God would create a world in which there is suffering.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.An omnipotent God could produce virtuous, spiritually mature souls directly without requiring suffering as the developmental medium.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If soul-making requires suffering, this implies a constraint on divine creative power incompatible with classical omnipotence.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Hick's soul-making framework presupposes a developmental anthropology that a perfect creator would have no reason to build into human nature.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The quantity and severity of actual suffering—including suffering that destroys rather than develops souls—vastly exceeds what any soul-making rationale could justify.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Dostoevsky's argument, formalized by Ivan Karamazov, holds that the suffering of innocents who lack the cognitive or moral capacity for soul-making is unredeemable by any future good.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Soul-making is not possible except through the experience of suffering.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.A world in which humans are brought to spiritual maturity through the process of soul-making is incomparably better than a hedonistic paradise.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.