Unthinkable Suffering: The Problem of "the Problem of Evil"
RELI 125
Fall 2006
| Section:
01
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| Course Cluster: Christianity Studies |
This course will explore the difficulties of reconciling the existence of evil and suffering in the world with the existence of an omnipotent and benevolent God. How have Christian philosophers and theologians sought to justify God by redefining, relativizing, or even explaining away evil? We will explore traditional efforts to set forth "theodicies," or justifications of God's goodness, as well as the inadequacy of these schemes in the face of the horrors of the 20th century. How is it possible to account for evil that surpasses all understanding, or suffering that is too great to explain away? How, in other words, can thinking think the unthinkable? |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (RELI) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: FYI |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
JOB; selections from St. Augustine, Leibniz, Immanuel Kant, Emmanuel Levinas, Dorothee Soelle
Jurgen Moltmann, THE SUFFERING GOD
Kenneth Surin, THEOLOGY AND THE 'PROBLEM OF EVIL'
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, LETTERS AND PAPERS FROM PRISON
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three critical papers, full attendance and participation. |
| Instructor(s): Rubenstein,Mary-Jane Victoria Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: RSCSEM; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: X | JR major: X | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: X | SO: X | FR: 19 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 6 | 1st Ranked: 1 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 2 |
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