Pragmatic Realism, Religious Truth, and Antitheodicy

On Viewing the World by Acknowledging the Other

Sami Pihlström

223 pages  |  ~6 hrs

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Pragmatic Realism, Religious Truth, and Antitheodicy

On Viewing the World by Acknowledging the Other

By Sami Pihlström

In the face of profound suffering and evil, humanity has long grappled with fundamental questions about meaning, justice, and divine purpose. This scholarly exploration challenges conventional approaches to one of philosophy's most enduring dilemmas: how do we reconcile the existence of seemingly senseless pain with our deepest spiritual and philosophical convictions?

Professor Sami Pihlström presents a thought-provoking critique of traditional theodicy, the philosophical attempt to justify or explain suffering within a meaningful cosmic framework. Rather than seeking grand explanations that view tragedy from an abstract, universal perspective, he advocates for a radically different approach that honors the lived reality of those who suffer.

Drawing from pragmatist philosophy, Pihlström argues that attempts to rationalize suffering from a detached, "divine viewpoint" fundamentally miss the mark. Such explanations, he contends, fail to acknowledge the irreducible personal experience of the individual facing hardship. His antitheodicist position suggests that some forms of suffering resist neat philosophical categorization or justification.

This work offers readers a fresh lens through which to examine age-old questions about pain, meaning, and spiritual understanding. For those wrestling with life's darker moments or seeking deeper philosophical grounding for their spiritual journey, Pihlström's insights provide a compassionate alternative to traditional explanatory frameworks. His pragmatic approach invites a more humble, human-centered way of engaging with mystery and suffering.

What You'll Discover

  • Explore The arts
  • Explore Humanities
  • Explore Waste treatment & disposal
  • Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
  • Explore European history
  • Explore Poetry by individual poets
  • Accelerate your personal growth journey
  • Explore Popular beliefs & controversial knowledge

Topics

The arts Humanities Waste treatment & disposal Western philosophy, from c 1900 - European history Poetry by individual poets Health & personal development Popular beliefs & controversial knowledge Politics & government History of religion Social & cultural history Ethics & moral philosophy Philosophy of religion Medieval history Christianity Conspiracy theories Medicine Biography & True Stories

Details

Published
2020
Publisher
Helsinki University Press
ISBN-13
9789523690042
ISBN-10
9523690043
Pages
223
Language
EN