Mann’s “Evil”

The problem of evil is the problem of reconciling the existence of a god who is all-knowing, all-good, and all-powerful with the evil we find in the world. Theodicies are attempts to explain why such a god would allow there to be evil. Mann describes two theodicies, one based upon the idea that we have free will (which he calls ‘Augustinian’) and one which says evil is necessary for our development (‘soul-making’). Mann mentions some problems with these theodicies, but try to think of other problems with them or with problems with his objections. In addition, try to think of other theodicies.