Gratuitous Suffering and the Problem of Evil: A Comprehensive Introduction

by Bryan Frances

Suffering that is not coupled with any redeeming good is one of our world’s more troubling, apparent glitches. It is particularly vexing for any theist who believes that the world was created by a supremely morally good, knowledgeable, and powerful god. Gratuitous Suffering and the Problem of A Comprehensive Introduction is among the first book-length discussions of theistic approaches to this issue. Bryan Frances’s lucid and jargon-free analyses of a variety of possible responses to the problem of gratuitous suffering will provide serious students or general readers much material with which to begin an extended contemplation of this ancient and contemporary concern. The perfect size and scope for an introductory philosophy class’s discussion of the problem of evil and suffering, and deliberately crafted to be approachable by all interested readers, Gratuitous Suffering and the Problem of Evil is philosophy doing what it does serious, engaged, rigorous explorations of even the darkest truths. The book offers many useful pedagogical features, including chapter overviews and summaries, annotated suggested readings, and eight-eight discussion questions.

Genres: Philosophy

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the problem of evil and gratuitous suffering as applied to the purported existence of God. I would recommend it for believers and unbelievers alike.

[Patrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don’t recommend this book at all for an introductory philosophy coarse

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book on the problem of gratuitous suffering that every believer in the Judeo-Christian conception of God should read. It will challenge you, and make you more humble in your faith, if anything. Dr. Frances is an great writer and makes you laugh even in Philosophy of Religion book, which is pretty incredible. He was also generous enough to give me a free copy of his other book, so I’m a big fan of his work. He’s a very honest agnostic and pokes fun at the New Atheist like Dawkins, so I highly recommend him just for this.