John Hick - Vale Of Soul Making

Question 1

What is the concept of soul making?

Answer 1

The development of humans into good moral beings through exposure to evil

Question 2

” a world of pains and troubles schools intelligence to make a soul “

Answer 2

Keats

Question 3

Why can’t humans know God?

Answer 3

Epistemic distance

Question 4

What does Hick say about natural evil?

Answer 4

It is built into the very structure of our world - promotes our natural instincts, e.g to eat from hunger

Question 5

What is a benefit of the natural world being evil ?

Answer 5

To promote the moral qualities of human personality through hardships

Question 6

Why is there a need for an afterlife in soul making theodicy?

Answer 6

1 : Some bad situations do not bring about good , soul making must continue
2 : The justification of worldly sorrow and toil is the reward of an afterlife

Question 7

Strengths of Vale of Soul Making Theodicy ~ Hick

Answer 7

1 : Human freedom at the centre , capability of free choices against animal instincts.
2 : The idea of autonomy is vital to humans, hence popularity of films such as the Matrix and Truman show

Question 8

Weaknesses of Vale of Soul Making Theodicy ~ Hick

Answer 8

1 : Can pain and suffering really be a characteristic of Gods love?
2 : It would not be seen as justifiable to hurt someone to help them
3 : Brothers Karamazov - No one to benefit from the continual abuse of a child which goes unpunished

Question 9

What is the overall evaluation? ( Hick soul making )

Answer 9

Hick underestimates the scale of suffering in the world, would small suffering not suffice for soul development?