Hume's Fundamental Problem of Evil

Philosophy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Tarrant
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Fundamental Problem ◽  
Problem Of Evil ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
Human Understanding ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
History Of

AbstractThe problem of evil for theists was how to reconcile suffering with a benevolent God. Hume solved the problem of evil by claiming that the divine was amoral but not by denying God's existence which he needed in order to advocate his favoured notion of a general providence. Indeed, Hume's treatment of the problem of evil showed that his quarrel in the Natural History of Religion1and the Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding,2Section XI, was with a particular providence rather than the possibility of a divine orderer. The fundamental problem of evil for Hume, was evil's potential to drive people to the notion of a particular providence with its attendant damaging passions. In considering his alternative of the general providence Hume is shown to be closer to theism than has often been thought.

scholarly journals A Historical Outline of Byzantine Philosophy and Its Basic Subjects

2018 ◽  
pp. 121-144
Author(s):  
Katelis Viglas
Keyword(s):  
Problem Of Evil ◽  
Relative Autonomy ◽  
15Th Century ◽  
Conceptual Realism ◽  
Historical Outline ◽  
The World ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Point Of Departure

The article seeks to present an overview of the history of Byzantine philosophy. It takes its point of departure in the most important factors that influenced and shaped the Patristic thought. Subsequently, the paper considers the relative autonomy of Byzantine philosophy and offers a brief profile of major philosophers that contributed to the stream in the period from 9th to 15th century. From the numerous subjects that were taken into account by the most prominent Byzantine philosophers, the article discusses such issues as: the view of God, the problem of ‘conceptual realism’, the relationship between such ‘disci  plines’ as logic, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics and philosophical anthro  pology. Furthermore, such questions as the place of man in the world, the scope of their freedom and the problem of evil are also touched upon here. The paper concludes with some remarks on the develop  ment of Byzantine philosophy after the fall of Byzantium.

4. Religion

2021 ◽  
pp. 81-103
Author(s):  
James A. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
Natural Religion ◽  
Treatise Of Human Nature ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of

‘Religion' discusses Hume’s various treatments of religion, particularly in the essay ‘Of Miracles’, Dialogues concerning Natural Religion, and ‘The Natural History of Religion’. Hume's earlier writings show some interesting implications for religion, including A Treatise of Human Nature and the essay ‘Of National Characters’. Looking at ‘Of Miracles’ shows that Hume’s theme was not the possibility of miracles as such, but rather the rational grounds of belief in reports of miracles. Considering the Dialogues emphasizes the distinction between scepticism and atheism. Meanwhile, ‘Natural History’ emphasizes Hume’s interest in the dangerous moral consequences of monotheism. What is the future for religion? Perhaps Hume was unlikely to have supposed that his writings would do anything to reduce religion’s hold on the vast majority of human beings.

History of Religion as Critique of Religion?

2021 ◽  
pp. 10-30
Author(s):  
Hans Joas
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Natural History ◽  
David Hume ◽  
Religious Texts ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
Universal History ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Literary Character ◽  
History Of

The Scottish eighteenth-century philosopher and historian David Hume can be considered a pioneer of the “natural history of religion” in the sense of a universal history of religion that is not based on theological presuppositions. This chapter offers a characterization of his methodological achievements and a reevaluation of his empirical claims concerning monotheism, polytheism, religion and tolerance. It also interprets the German reception of Hume in Herder and other eighteenth-century thinkers as a serious critical continuation that is free from Hume’s anti-Christian motives. This continuation opens the perspective of a serious study of the literary character of religious texts, in this case of the Bible. All simple contrasts between Enlightenment and religion are overcome as soon as we take this interaction of thinkers into account.

Polemical Aspects of Hume's Natural History of Religion

1986 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 502
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Wheatley
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
History Of

David Hume’s Natural History of Religion

The Monist ◽  
1909 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Thomsen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
History Of

Towards a Natural History of Religion

Religion ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Benavides
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
History Of Religion ◽  
History Of

Hospice ministry as apologetics

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-291
Author(s):  
Alice Tremaine
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Terminal Illness ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Problem Of Evil ◽  
Good Samaritan ◽  
Spiritual Crisis ◽  
The Problem Of Evil ◽  
History Of ◽  
Modern Context ◽  
Christian Apologetics

The objective of this article is to present the act of compassion—particularly compassion at the end of life through hospice care—as an appropriate response to the problem of evil. A thesis of the article is that the end of life presents opportunities for engaging in practical Christian apologetics, such as emulating God’s compassion for those who suffer and acknowledging God’s presence in the midst of suffering and evil. The article begins by discussing the history of hospice care, from its medieval beginnings to its modern context, as well as the potential spiritual crisis that is brought on by terminal illness. I contend that practical gestures of compassion are appropriate responses to evil and suffering, and ways of proclaiming God’s existence and message. In order to support this thesis, I draw from commentary from John Swinton and Marcus Borg, as well as Jesus’ parables and contemporary stories. I conclude the article by asserting that God is revealed in the act of compassion and also seen in those who are suffering. The article calls for a response based on Jesus’ commandment in the “Good Samaritan parable” to “go and do likewise.”

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