Process Theodicy Flashcards
Who is process theodicy associated with?
Associated with Whitehead and Griffin
How does process theodicy understand the world?
The world is understood as dynamic, constantly changing and evolving. However, there is a natural process or order that governs the world which God has initiated
How is evil the result of free will according the PT?
Evil occurs when there is discord with this order, and good occurs when there is harmony. Evil is therefore the result of human free will
How does PT present God and why does this mean that it is not a true theodicy?
The theodicy presents God as part of the world and its processes and therefore bound by them. God cannot control the universe, only influence other entities in a dipolar manner (mentally and physically). God possesses powers of persuasion, but matter has innate powers to resist this persuasion. God therefore cannot stop humans from using their free will to prevent evil This puts God’s omnipotence into question, which means it is not a true theodicy
How is God somewhat responsible for evil and suffering according to PT?
God is in some ways responsible for the evil and suffering in the world, as he knew that creating the world would lead to evil and suffering and that he would not be able to control it
What is God seen as being according to PT?
God is part of the universe and exists as a fellow sufferer who understands (although he is different from other entities because he is imperishable)
Can process theodicy be seen as successfully defending the GoCT?
It compromises God’s transcendence; he is part of the natural process rather than being beyond it and able to control it. This makes the theodicy incompatible with the GoCT
It successfully incorporates the immanence of God, the idea that he is involved in the world. This is a definite quality of the GoCT
It compromises the omnipotence of the GoCT and so in this sense is not a theodicy
God has allowed so many people to suffer – leaving his omnibenevolence in question
All this means that the God described by this theodicy is not the GoCT and is not worthy of worship
How does Griffin defend God for bringing about evil?
Griffin defends the theodicy by saying that the good brought about by the existence of evil outweighs evil, and so God was right to bring it about
How does this idea solve the problem of evil?
This pantheistic idea answers the inconsistent triad because God does not have the power to change the natural world to be free of evil
