Children, old crones, peasants, and dogs ramble; cats and philosophers stick to their point.
H. P. LovecraftRead
It used to be widely held that evil was incompatible with the existence of God: that no possible world contained both God and evil. So far as I am able tell, this thesis is no longer defended
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote challenges the idea that God and evil cannot coexist, suggesting a shift in philosophical thought.
Peter Van Inwagen reflects on a significant philosophical debate regarding the compatibility of God and evil. Traditionally, many have argued that the existence of an all-powerful and benevolent God would preclude the existence of evil in the world. However, Van Inwagen indicates that this belief has shifted, as contemporary thought no longer firmly defends this thesis, inviting deeper exploration into the nature of divinity and moral evil.
Themes
GodEvilPhilosophyExistenceCompatibility
In practice
Example use cases
A professor discussing metaphysics may use this quote to illustrate modern philosophical discussions on theodicy.
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