The Augustinian theodicy, like other theodicies, is an argument reconciling an omnipotent, benevolent God with the presence of evil. Named after the early Christian theologian and philosopher Augustine of Hippo (pictured in a 16th-century painting), the argument asserts that evil exists not in itself but as a corruption of goodness, requiring the abuse of free will. The 20th-century philosopher John Hick classified similar theodicies by Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, and others as Augustinian for their shared beliefs that God is perfect and guiltless, that he created the world out of nothing, and that evil is a punishment for original sin. Augustine's argument was criticised by his contemporary Fortunatus, a Manichaean, who contended that God must be implicated in evil, and by 18th-century theologian Francesco Antonio Zaccaria, who said the argument neglected human suffering. Hick regarded evil as something necessary for moral development, and process theologians have argued that God is not responsible for evil because he is not omnipotent. Scientific consensus regarding the beginning of the world and the development of life runs contrary to some aspects of the Augustinian theodicy.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinian_theodicy

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1487:

Lancastrian forces defeated Yorkist supporters at the Battle of Stoke Field in East Stoke, Nottinghamshire, England, the final battle of the Wars of the Roses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Stoke_Field

1815:

Napoleonic Wars: French Marshal Michel Ney earned a strategic victory against the Anglo-Dutch army in the Battle of Quatre Bras. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Quatre_Bras

1883:

Over 180 out of 1,100 children died in the Victoria Hall disaster in Sunderland, England, when they stampeded down the stairs to collect gifts from the entertainers after the end of a variety show. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Hall_disaster

1904:

Irish author James Joyce began his relationship with Nora Barnacle, and subsequently used the date to set the actions for his 1922 novel Ulysses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joyce

1961:

Pioneering Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defected from the Soviet Union at Paris–Le Bourget Airport with the help of French police and a Parisian socialite friend. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Nureyev

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

abeyance: 1. (law) Expectancy; condition of being undetermined; undetermined ownership. 2. Suspension; temporary suppression. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abeyance

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

As we, or mother Dana, weave and unweave our bodies, Stephen said, from day to day, their molecules shuttled to and fro, so does the artist weave and unweave his image.   --Ulysses https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ulysses