theodicy

theodicy
   A theodicy is a defence of divine omnipotence and perfect goodness in the light of the problem of evil. In the words of Milton's famous preface to Paradise Lost, it is to 'justify the ways of God to men'. According to Alvin Plantinga, theodicy should be distinguished from the more modest pursuit of a defence. The former purports to provide an actual explanation for why God allows evil, while the latter simply attempts to demonstrate that the existence of evil and the existence of God are not logically incompatible.
   Further reading: Adams, Marilyn McCord 1999; Farrer 1966; Leibniz 1985; Lewis, C. S. 1940; Swinburne 1998

Christian Philosophy . . 2015.

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  • Theodicy — (IPAEng|θiːˈɒdɪsi) (adjectival form theodicean) is a specific branch of theology and philosophy that attempts to reconcile the existence of evil or suffering in the world with the belief in an omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent God, i.e …   Wikipedia

  • Theodicy — • Term was introduced into philosophy by Leibniz Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Theodicy     Theodicy     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Theodicy — The*od i*cy, n. [NL. theodic[ae]a, fr. Gr. ? God + ? right, justice: cf. F. th[ e]odic[ e]e.] 1. A vindication of the justice of God in ordaining or permitting natural and moral evil. [1913 Webster] 2. That department of philosophy which treats… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • theodicy — 1799, from Fr. théodicée, title of a work by Leibniz, from Gk. theos god (see THEA (Cf. Thea)) + dike judgment, justice, usage, custom (cognate with L. dicere to show, tell; see DICTION (Cf. diction)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • theodicy — [thē äd′ə sē] n. pl. theodicies [Fr théodicée: coined by LEIBNIZ Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von (1710) < Gr theos, god + dikē, justice] the theological discipline that seeks to explain how the existence of evil in the world can be reconciled with …   English World dictionary

  • theodicy — theodicean, adj. /thee od euh see/, n., pl. theodicies. a vindication of the divine attributes, particularly holiness and justice, in establishing or allowing the existence of physical and moral evil. [1790 1800; THEO + Gk dík(e) justice + Y3,… …   Universalium

  • theodicy —    This word (from the Greek theos, meaning God, and dikē, meaning justice ) refers to the study of evil and suffering in the world, which seems contrary to the existence of a presumably good God. In a more general sense, theodicy sometimes… …   Glossary of theological terms

  • theodicy — noun (plural cies) Etymology: modification of French théodicée, from théo the (from Latin theo ) + Greek dikē judgment, right more at diction Date: 1797 defense of God s goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • theodicy — noun /θiːˈɒd.ɪ.si/ A justification of a deity, or the attributes of a deity, especially in regard to the existence of evil and suffering in the world; a work or discourse justifying the ways of God …   Wiktionary

  • theodicy — The part of theology concerned with defending the goodness and omnipotence of God in the face of the suffering and evil of the world. See evil, problem of; free will defence …   Philosophy dictionary

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