The poetics of evil : a study of the aesthetic theme in theodicy
Abstract
This work proposes to look at the role of aesthetics within Christian
theodicy. Though the recent theodicy literature has often displayed
suspicion toward the inclusion of aesthetic criteria, I will argue that
theological aesthetics can enrich the theodicy discourse and therefore should
be used as a resource in responding to the problem of evil. In Part I, I will
attempt to lay a foundation for an aesthetically informed theodicy by
examining some of the philosophical frameworks that lie behind Christian
theodicy, and seeking to illuminate a framework that allows theological
aesthetics to helpfully contribute to the task of theodicy. By offering a
preliminary account of theological aesthetics, I will aim to further lay a
foundation for how the two areas of theology can interact. In Part II, I will
look at three distinct aesthetic motifs or “themes” as they are developed by
three different theodicists (one ancient and two contemporary): Augustine,
Wendy Farley, and Marilyn McCord Adams. Each of the themes developed
by these theodicists offers a different example of how aesthetics can
reorient and enrich our perspective on theodicy. Though each, in and of
itself, is incomplete, I will argue that they complement and critique one
another in helpful ways, and therefore that all of them are useful for
Christian theodicy.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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