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Ever since antiquity, the presence of evil has been considered incompatible with the existence of God. This apparent contradiction gave rise to the argument from evil, which turned into a formidable weapon against theism. Faced with this challenge, theists of all creeds have been proposing theodicies, or justifications of Godâs ways.
This monograph is the first book-length treatment of the subject from a Platonic perspective. Its essential message is that Plato devised a noteworthy and influential theodicy comprised of several theodicean strategies, some of which remain relevant even today. Hence, Platoâs pioneering contribution to the field of theodicy deserves the attention of both philosophers and theologians.
This monograph is the first book-length treatment of the subject from a Platonic perspective. Its essential message is that Plato devised a noteworthy and influential theodicy comprised of several theodicean strategies, some of which remain relevant even today. Hence, Platoâs pioneering contribution to the field of theodicy deserves the attention of both philosophers and theologians.
Viktor Ilievski, Ph.D. (Central European University), is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient Philosophy. He has been affiliated with the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Bucharest. He publishes mostly in Platonic metaphysics, cosmology and theology, as well as on the problems of evil.
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1 The Problem of Evil and Theodicy in Republic 379bâc
â1.1 Traditional Religionâs First Profanation: Gods as Causes of Both Good and Evil
â1.2 Platoâs Objections to Homer and Hesiod
â1.3 Some Principles of Platoâs Theology
â1.4 The Problem of Evil in Republic II
â1.5 Does Plato Really Propose a Theodicy in Republic II?
â1.6 Closing Remarks
2 Theodicy in Republic X: the Myth of Er
â2.1 The Myth of Er: an Overview
â2.2 The ??t?a ???µ????? ?e?? ??a?t??? Dictum
â2.3 The Theodicean Significance of the Lottery Episode in the Myth of Er
â2.4 ??t?a ???µ????: the Problem of Free Agency and Individual Moral Accountability
ââ2.4.1 A Platonic Account of Freedom and Responsibility
ââ2.4.2 The Challenge of Determinism
ââ2.4.3 Infinite Regress of Accountability?
ââ2.4.4 Further Objections Addressed
â2.5 Closing Remarks
3 Theodicy in the Theaetetus?
â3.1 Setting the Scene: the Theaetetus Digression
â3.2 The Problem of Evil in the Theaetetus
ââ3.2.1 The Status of t? ??a??? at 176a6
ââ3.2.2 The Status of ?pe?a?t??? at 176a6
ââ3.2.3 The Status of t? ?a?? and Their Relation to the ?pe?a?t???
ââ3.2.4 The Status of ?????? at 176a6 and Its Relation to the ?pe?a?t???
ââ3.2.5 ? ???t? f?s?? and the Evils
ââ3.2.6 Further Reflections on ??????
â3.3 Theodicy in the Theaetetus
ââ3.3.1 Socrates and His God
ââ3.3.2 Plato and the Soul-Making Theodicy
â3.4 Closing Remarks
4 Theodicy in the Timaeus
â4.1 Traditional Religionâs Second Profanation: Divine Envy
â4.2 Platoâs Answer to the Second Profanation
ââ4.2.1 The Concept of f????? in Platoâs Theology
ââ4.2.2 Divine Goodness and the âWhy a World at All?â Question
â4.3 Theodicy in the Timaeus
ââ4.3.1 The Principle of Plenitude
ââ4.3.2 The Solution from Personal Responsibility
ââ4.3.3 A Factor Beyond Godâs Control: Timaean Necessity
â4.4 Personal Responsibility Abandoned?
â4.5 Closing Remarks
5 Theodicy in Laws X
â5.1 The Natural Theology of the Laws
â5.2 Plato and the Aesthetic Theme
â5.3 Inescapability of Divine Justice and Personal Responsibility
â5.4 Closing Remarks
Conclusion
References
Index
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1 The Problem of Evil and Theodicy in Republic 379bâc
â1.1 Traditional Religionâs First Profanation: Gods as Causes of Both Good and Evil
â1.2 Platoâs Objections to Homer and Hesiod
â1.3 Some Principles of Platoâs Theology
â1.4 The Problem of Evil in Republic II
â1.5 Does Plato Really Propose a Theodicy in Republic II?
â1.6 Closing Remarks
2 Theodicy in Republic X: the Myth of Er
â2.1 The Myth of Er: an Overview
â2.2 The ??t?a ???µ????? ?e?? ??a?t??? Dictum
â2.3 The Theodicean Significance of the Lottery Episode in the Myth of Er
â2.4 ??t?a ???µ????: the Problem of Free Agency and Individual Moral Accountability
ââ2.4.1 A Platonic Account of Freedom and Responsibility
ââ2.4.2 The Challenge of Determinism
ââ2.4.3 Infinite Regress of Accountability?
ââ2.4.4 Further Objections Addressed
â2.5 Closing Remarks
3 Theodicy in the Theaetetus?
â3.1 Setting the Scene: the Theaetetus Digression
â3.2 The Problem of Evil in the Theaetetus
ââ3.2.1 The Status of t? ??a??? at 176a6
ââ3.2.2 The Status of ?pe?a?t??? at 176a6
ââ3.2.3 The Status of t? ?a?? and Their Relation to the ?pe?a?t???
ââ3.2.4 The Status of ?????? at 176a6 and Its Relation to the ?pe?a?t???
ââ3.2.5 ? ???t? f?s?? and the Evils
ââ3.2.6 Further Reflections on ??????
â3.3 Theodicy in the Theaetetus
ââ3.3.1 Socrates and His God
ââ3.3.2 Plato and the Soul-Making Theodicy
â3.4 Closing Remarks
4 Theodicy in the Timaeus
â4.1 Traditional Religionâs Second Profanation: Divine Envy
â4.2 Platoâs Answer to the Second Profanation
ââ4.2.1 The Concept of f????? in Platoâs Theology
ââ4.2.2 Divine Goodness and the âWhy a World at All?â Question
â4.3 Theodicy in the Timaeus
ââ4.3.1 The Principle of Plenitude
ââ4.3.2 The Solution from Personal Responsibility
ââ4.3.3 A Factor Beyond Godâs Control: Timaean Necessity
â4.4 Personal Responsibility Abandoned?
â4.5 Closing Remarks
5 Theodicy in Laws X
â5.1 The Natural Theology of the Laws
â5.2 Plato and the Aesthetic Theme
â5.3 Inescapability of Divine Justice and Personal Responsibility
â5.4 Closing Remarks
Conclusion
References
Index
This book will be of relevance to specialists and students of ancient philosophy interested in Platonic theology, cosmology and metaphysics, as well as to philosophers of religion who search for new perspectives on theodicy.