HQ

According to William Hasker, the existential problem of evil occurs when “theism is questioned and/or rejected on the basis of moral protest, indignation, and outrage at the evils of this world.” Hasker claims that if I am glad that I exist, then I cannot (reasonably) protest against God. The simple version of his argument is: (1) I am glad that I exist. (2) If I am glad that I exist, then I am glad that the history of the world is the way it is. (3) If I am glad that the history of the world is what it is, then I cannot reproach God for the general character or the major events of the world’s past history. (4) Therefore, I cannot reproach God for the general character or the major events of the world’s past history. (1) is based on an assumption. Hasker asks us to think for a moment. On the whole, do you prefer that you exist rather than not? If so, then proceed. (2) is based on a thesis about human identity. Hasker argues that you being you is conting...

Historically, Christians have held to various forms of dualism, the idea that the human person is both material and immaterial  This, it is said, is what makes it possible to exist beyond the grave even though one's earthly body remains in it. To the materialist such an idea is archaic and unnecessary. Evolution explains our origins without human souls and if the cost is not living on after we die then so be it. Of course there are many who are both Christian and committed to an evolutionary explanation of human origins. If one is committed to evolution and to the idea of life after death one must explain a possible way that the soul emerges through the process of evolution. There are a couple of general strategies for maintaining both evolution and life after death. First, is to suggest that, while we should not reduce  reality to the physical, human beings nonetheless are physical first. That is to say that what we call mental state...