Introduction
In terms of the existence of evil, scientists and researchers provide arguments in support of different beliefs. On the one hand, some religions are based on the idea that the simultaneous coexistence of evil and God’s power is unlikely. On the other hand, there are religions claiming that worldwide suffering is the result of karma and actions taken in the previous lives. For example, Christianity takes into consideration original sin resulting in the development of suffering, whereas Hinduism perceives suffering as an integral part of the life cycle.
Enduring Human Concerns and the Human Condition
Wood analyzes this topic with the help of opinions supported by various influencers. Even though there are various explanations to the questions regarding enduring human concerns and the human condition, Wood (2010) beliefs that human character develops with the help of suffering. In fact, it is estimated that human beings cannot attain the great good of character and deep responsibility for one another’s welfare without suffering. However, this belief has been criticized by numerous scientists. Opponents of this idea highlight that the life of people would have to be associated with suffering on a regular basis if evil was the trigger of character development.
In turn, Hinduism perceives the life of human beings as a way to achieve the main goals, such as dharma, kama, artha, and moksha. These goals are based on the idea to act morally and ethically throughout one’s life. For instance, it is believed that people are born to live in a free environment where all components, such as animals and plants, should be treated with respect. In other words, Hinduism aims to avoid ultimately meaningless, thereby, offering people a sense of duty (Gächter, 1998). In this case, suffering is regarded as a way to take responsibility for the previous mistakes related to poor dedication.
The Explanation Offered by Gächter
As a natural aspect of life that can be a direct result of a person’s karma, suffering plays a prominent role in Hinduism. In contrast to Christianity, which considers suffering as God’s way to teach people about evil, Hinduism describes evil and suffering as the opposite terms. According to this religion, human beings can be reborn in order to give souls the opportunity to face eternity (Gächter, 1998). In turn, each new rebirth is strongly associated with the experience maintained in the past. As a result, if the individuals violate the basic rules respected in the specific religious group, the future life will be filled with various representations of suffering.
While some researchers doubt the reason why God would permit the manifestation of evil, Hinduism provides argumentative explanations to this fact. Representatives of this religion state that evil is related to bad karma which can develop due to the conscious or unconscious intention of people to affect the lives of others from a negative perspective (Gächter, 1998). It is a widely known idea that all people act out of self-interest, although the actions should not cross the personal boundaries of other living beings. Therefore, Gächter states that people themselves are responsible for the suffering that they experience throughout their lives.
Comparison of Different Explanations of Evil
Nowadays, there are many argumentative explanations of evil, including the ones suggested by Wood and Gächter. However, both versions can be critiqued by supporters of other theories. For example, Wood supports the idea that people suffer due to God’s intention to make them better individuals. However, if this belief is true, it is difficult to explain why some people barely face suffering throughout their lives. In turn, if Gächter’s belief is true, there are no valid proofs regarding the fact that people can be reborn.
Therefore, it is essential to take into account an alternative version which explains the origins and aim of evil. This version is based on the idea that supernatural powers allow evil to exist in order to prevent a greater evil. If people face a chronic health issue, they still manage to live and serve the majority of regular functions. Hence, getting sick can be regarded as a less considerable evil than dying. This theory aims to encourage the worldwide population to perceive evil as the best consequence suggested by supernatural powers.
Furthermore, evil can be regarded as the motivation for individuals to create a greater good in the world. Numerous examples of the accuracy of this idea can be taken from history. For instance, Beethoven, a famous German composer, noticed difficulties with the sense of hearing in the second decade of his life. In his 40s, the composer has become completely deaf. In spite of the fact that this injury has significantly impacted the professional skills of the composer, Beethoven still managed to create music and become one of the most famous composers of all time. From the perspective of the suggested theory of evil, hearing loss was the trigger encouraging the man to improve professional skills and contribute to the worldwide music industry.
Accordingly, it is essential to note that evil is a relative term. If the world was not filled with suffering, the number of achievements would be significantly lower. At the same time, the opponents of this idea tend to describe it as “devaluing the suffering” (Gächter, 1998). These individuals state that suffering would be eliminated if God existed and had the power to control life on the planet. On the one hand, this opinion makes sense taking into account that the suggested theory does not deny the existence of God. On the other hand, this counterargument can also be criticized. The main goal of God is to help people find the meaning of life and contribute to the well-being of other living organisms. However, there are no debates regarding the methods God can use to achieve this goal. Thus, making people suffer in order to encourage them to become better versions of themselves can be considered a justifiable strategy.
Conclusion
The suffering caused by evil has always been a part of life in different parts of the world. Nowadays, there are numerous theories aimed to explain the development of these obstacles. Wood prioritizes the version claiming that human beings face evil in order to be taught. In turn, Gächter prefers associating evil with karma and rebirth. Both versions have advantages and disadvantages to the general understanding of the world. Simultaneously, the theory of skeptical theism can be considered the most developed theory out of the discussed ones. It is based on the idea that people suffer either to prevent a greater evil or get motivated to create a greater good. The examples confirming the accuracy of this theory can be found in history.
References
Gächter, O. (1998). Evil and suffering in Hinduism.Anthropos, 93(4/6), 393-403. Web.
Wood, J. (2010). God. Acumen Publishing.