The Cambridge Companion to the Problem of Evil

This edited volume presents a comprehensive examination of the problem of evil, one of the most enduring challenges to theistic belief. Chad Meister brings together leading philosophers and theologians to explore how the existence of evil and suffering bears on arguments for and against the existence of God, particularly within the context of classical theism.

The collection addresses both the logical and evidential versions of the problem of evil. Contributors examine whether the mere existence of evil logically contradicts the existence of an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God, as well as whether the amount and distribution of evil in the world provides strong evidence against theistic belief. Several chapters engage directly with the free will defense, analyzing whether human freedom sufficiently explains moral evil while maintaining divine goodness. The volume also explores natural evil, addressing suffering caused by natural disasters, disease, and the structure of the natural world itself.

A significant strength of the collection lies in its methodological diversity. While primarily situated within analytic philosophy of religion, the volume incorporates perspectives from systematic theology, biblical studies, and comparative philosophy. Contributors examine theodicies ranging from soul-making theories to skeptical theism, which questions human ability to discern God's reasons for permitting evil. The work engages critically with major figures in the debate, including responses to J.L. Mackie's logical argument from evil and William Rowe's evidential argument from gratuitous suffering.

The volume advances the God debate by presenting both defenses of theism and serious challenges to traditional responses to evil. Several chapters explore how different conceptions of divine attributes might dissolve or reshape the problem, while others argue that certain formulations of the problem remain unanswered. The collection demonstrates that the problem of evil continues to generate sophisticated philosophical discussion, with contributors developing novel approaches to classical issues.

Meister's editorial framework emphasizes the ongoing nature of this debate, presenting the problem of evil not as a settled question but as a living philosophical issue requiring continued analysis. The volume serves as both an introduction to the major positions and a contribution to advancing scholarly discussion, making clear why the problem of evil remains central to philosophy of religion and natural theology.