Explaining Evil

Christian theism maintains that an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good God is responsible for creating the world in which we live. Why, then, is there evil in this world? If evil is a result of our having libertarian free will, why would God bother creating humans with such a will in the first place? If all human actions are ultimately determined by God, then why would he refrain from determining all humans to do the good? If naturalism is true, then how does 'evil' arise and why does it persist? Is one justified in saying that instances of pain and suffering are genuinely 'evil' at all?

In Explaining Evil four prominent philosophers, two theists and two non-theists, present their own account of why evil exists and respond to objections from fellow contributors. This dialogue format gives readers a unique overview of this important debate.