The Reality of God and the Problem of Evil

by Brian Davies

Does evil show that there could not possibly be a God? Does it suggest that God's existence is unlikely? With these questions we come to the so-called 'problem of evil' - an intellectual one, not a practical one. Yet how is it best approached?

In this book, Brian Davies suggests that we should start by attending to certain 'basics' - by asking why we might have reason to believe in God in the first place and by considering what our knowledge of God tells us (or does not tell us) about his nature. He then considers a number of famous attempts to deal with the problem of evil, and suggests that almost all of them fall short in various ways. In particular, he challenges efforts to defend or deny God's existence which work from the assumption that God is, in a certain sense, a moral agent with an ethical case to answer. Davies argues that God is no such thing.

In the course of his discussion (one much influenced by the thought of Thomas Aquinas) Davies maintains that goodness, love and perfection can be literally ascribed to God. He also argues that, paradoxical as it may seem, much evil is positively desirable and that, rather than dwelling on the 'problem of evil' we should be concerned with the problem (or mystery) of good - the real issue being 'Why is there not more good than there is?'

This is a lively book on a tricky subject. Written at all times with humour and much practical example, it provides a solid introduction to the most important literature devoted to its subject matter, and it offers a sustained defence of a position not commonly advocated today.

About the Author:
Brian Davies is Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion, Atheism

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2006

About the author

Brian Davies is a Dominican friar and Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York. He has published extensively on the thought of St Thomas Aquinas.

Reviews

[J C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of Davies' overly modest and cautious prose. However, it might be appropriately humble here when dealing with such a sensitive topic. This is probably the best book I've read on the subject, and it exposes the fatal flaw underlying most discussions of God and evil that renders most of them pointless: the assumption that we know what we're talking about when we use words like "good", "evil", "God", "omnipotence", "omniscience," etc. He is repetitive at times because there is absolutely no reason to assume people who've wrestled with the Problem of Evil know what these terms mean. It's a strictly philosophical work demonstrating that it makes no sense to think of God as a peer and moral agent who is accountable to us for not being more good, like we are with each other. For people who want to think hard about evil, suffering and God, read this. Don't waste your time on stuff by confused authors like Thomas Jay Oord.

[Marina E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant whether to rate this book 3 or 4 stars. Three stars because Davies is overly repetitive. Actually, the true name of this books should have been "the problem of evil according to Aquinas and my cat Smokey." He loves Aquinas and agrees with almost everything he has to say on the subject, and although it is great to learn so much about him throughout the book, at one point you are just tired with all the references to him. Four stars because this book gave me a completely novel comprehension of the problem of evil. If you think you will be picking up yet another book full of theodicies and defenses, you are dead wrong! This is a completely different project, and although you get the sense, in the end, that you dont quite get an answer to give on the problem, you will nonetheless be dumbstruck! I highly recommend the read.

[David Haines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. It is like reading a commentary on Thomistic philosophy. Brian Davies answers the problem of evil in a way that almost no other contemporary author is even attempting. He shows the flaws in other ways of answering the problem, and then defends his own argument. This book is one of the most important books ever written on the problem of evil.

[Naz Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davies's treatment is not pleasant, as in that he doesn't care about your feelings.
His approach to the problem of evil is rooted in classical scholastic theology inspired by the likes of Aquinas, Ibn Sina, and Ghazali.

And what an approach it is! Davies, in my estimation, avoids all of the pitfalls of popular theodicies by sticking to the scholastic definition of evil as privation, and showing with painstaking logic and great, relatable examples, why that definition is true. After he does that, then his assertion that God does not need to be thought of as a moral agent almost follows elegantly and so does the realization that God is creating nothing but good and is the object of all desire and is therefore good.

This is a book I will be revisiting again and again. It has reshaped my whole view of God.

[Vance Gatlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly wordy and confusing. The Appendix barely brought it together for me.

[Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great explanation of the Thomistic understanding of God. A bit redundant at times, however.