Multiverse Pantheism and the Problem of Evil: The Case of Yujin Nagasawa Cover Image

Çoklu Evren Panteizmi ve Kötülük Problemi: Yujin Nagasawa Örneği
Multiverse Pantheism and the Problem of Evil: The Case of Yujin Nagasawa

Author(s): Fatma Somuncuoğlu Erkan
Subject(s): Philosophy of Religion, Sociology of Religion, History of Religion
Published by: Oku Okut Yayınları
Keywords: Philosophy of Religion; Multiverse; Problem of evil; Monism; Yujin Nagasawa;

Summary/Abstract: Pantheism is a conception of God that holds that God is identical with the universe. Therefore, one of the basic doctrines of pantheism is monism. Pantheism denies the existence of evil and defines evil as an illusion. However, many natural and moral evils can be observed around us that cause pain and suffering. In this case, it is argued that pantheists, especially those who defend monism, would have to accept that every evil in the universe is a part of God and would not be able to give a satisfactory answer to the criticism that the universe is God. Therefore, some alternative interpretations of pantheism have been attempted. The multiverse view is one of them. Yujin Nagasawa (b. 1975) argues that multiverse pantheism is more attractive than monistic pantheism for the problem of evil because multiverse pantheism avoids objections to other pantheisms. In this study, we have tried to evaluate the compatibility of the idea of the multiverse with pantheism and some of the solutions it brings to the problem of evil. For this purpose, the conceptual framework of the study is drawn by including some concepts related to the subject, especially pantheism, monism, multiverse and the problem of evil. Then, by discussing the compatibility of pantheism with the idea of the multiverse, the explanations brought by multiverse pantheism to the problem of evil, some pantheist defenses, solution proposals and their consistency are discussed and the criticisms made are evaluated in the conclusion. Some philosophers have proposed multiverse pantheism as an alternative to the problems that monistic pantheism cannot solve. However, it can be said that this idea cannot be consistent in terms of pantheism, and that pantheism avoids models that are not likely to be verified or falsified since it accepts the only universe that we can observe. Basically, the following conclusions were reached in the study: Basically, the following conclusions were reached in the study: Spinoza (1632-1677), known as a pantheist, firmly rejected the existence of more than one world. In his texts, he argues that although there is only one world, the world finds expression in countless ways, and therefore each singular being also finds expression in countless ways. Although it is thought that this opens the door to the view of a multiverse, it should not be forgotten that "the thinking substance and the extended substance are one and the same substance". Therefore, the conception of a world expressed under God's attributes of thought and space is claimed to be the world that actually exists.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 35-48
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Turkish
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