Problem of God and Evil

We know the universe is orderly and, at the same time, vastly complex. We know that, at its origin in the Big Bang, almost 14 billion years ago, conditions were right for the eventual evolution of life. And we know that many living beings endure terrible suffering, with no apparent purpose or justification. These known facts raise obvious questions. For instance, What explains the order in the universe and its suitability for the development of life? Did those things happen by chance, or were they brought about on purpose? But if the universe is the way it is on purpose, what about the widespread occurrence of seemingly pointless suffering and waste of life?This book investigates those linked questions. It does so in a way that introduces readers new to philosophy both to some of its fundamental issues and to the activity of philosophical thinking. It engages those readers in trying to understand and answer fundamental questions that come up for all reflective persons. Thus aimed at clarifying and answering deep philosophical questions, this work will interest a more advanced readership too. The book is suitable for introductory-level philosophy courses and for both introductory and advanced courses in philosophy of religion.