Examining the Problem of Evil in Berkeley’s Thought

Document Type : Scientific-research

Author

Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Abstract

The problem of evil in Berkeley’s thought is a complex yet fundamental issue. The lack of clarity and dispersion in its definition has led to ambiguity in understanding Berkeley’s thought accurately. In this article, using an analytical-descriptive method and relying on Berkeley’s metaphysical foundations, an attempt has been made to carefully examine Berkeley’s responses to the problem of evil. In his effort to provide a distinct version of the problem of evil, Berkeley does not regard evil as an independent fact but rather as derived from a form of human value judgment. He considers the labeling of individuals as evil and the classification of actions as evil to be the result of human cognitive limitations and mental constraints. This article aims to demonstrate how Berkeley, by utilizing the his principles of idealism, explains the problem of evil and, from this perspective, offers a solution to the common contradictions in the religious and philosophical doctrines.

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References

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