Ivan Karamazov started us thinking about the problem of evil, although once we read his literary creation, “The Grand Inquisitor” we may be less sure of what he thinks about evil. Through Father Zossima’s life story, homilies, and reflections, Dostoevsky gives us a contrasting perspective on both evil and the possibility of redemption from it. The life story of Saint Augustine provides yet another perspective. (If you feel comfortable including Aquinas, you may do so.)
This paper should be your thoughtful consideration of the ideas we have encountered thus far: does any perspective win out? Are any of them compatible? Which ones do you find most helpful or necessary in considering the problem of evil? Your own perspective should become clear in the essay, whether your perspective is some combination of the views presented, or a preference for one of them, or an independent perspective. In some ways what you are to do is to put the key ideas of Ivan, Zossima, and Augustine into conversation with one another, with your own voice as a fourth participant. I don’t mean that you should write a “dialogue,” but rather that you should consider and discuss how these ideas help to shape or inform your own thinking.
In the course of the paper you may find yourself focusing primarily on one or the other of our thinkers. That’s fine, so long as all are represented to some degree. This is an essay, not just a journal reflection, but it is perfectly fine if you use “I.” It is meant to still be your own thoughtful reflection, but one a bit more worked-over than a journal.
Length? Not too long. Don’t go over 5 pages, but write at least 3 (900-1500 words).