Monizm Bağlamında Panteizmin Kötülük Problemine Yaklaşımı
Pantheism’s Approach to the Problem of Evil in the Context of Monism

Summary/Abstract: Pantheism is defined by fundamental concepts such as God, nature, universe, unity, monism, immanence, identity, and determinism. In the pantheistic conception, the concept of God is synonymous with the Universe, and vice versa. This doctrine posits that nothing exists beyond the concept of God or the Universe. Pantheism is a monist conception of God in which the concept of God and the universe as one and identical is emphasized. Monism is a pivotal concept in explaining pantheism. Monism is the explanation of existence in terms of unity or oneness. Accordingly, pantheism can be said to be a monistic approach that explains existence in terms of a single principle. However, pantheism has been the subject of criticism regarding the issue of evil, as it entails a monistic mode of thinking. If the concept of God is equated with that of the Universe, and if the two are regarded as one entity, how can the existence of evil within the Universe be rationalized? The philosophical tenets of pantheism, which asserts the oneness of God and nature, a monistic worldview, the absence of a delineation between the creator and the created, and a doctrine of determinism, asserting the inevitability of all that exists in the universe, have been subject to critique on the grounds of their implicitness in the question of evil. This doctrine has been subject to critiques regarding its approach to the issue of evil. The ontological distinction between God and the universe, which is not accepted by pantheism, results in a different approach to good and evil. Furthermore, the lack of a space for human freedom, due to the defense of ‘strict determinism’, means that moral responsibility cannot be discussed. The monistic structure of pantheism is inadequate in providing a satisfactory solution to the problem of evil. Despite the heterogeneity of contemporary pantheist approaches to these issues, it is argued that pantheism is unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the problem of evil due to its fundamental principles of determinism and ontological identity. Moreover, from the perspective of a monistic understanding of God, explaining and making sense of the distinction between values such as good and evil appears to be a problematic issue. While earlier pantheists espoused a unitarian stance, contemporary pantheists adopt a seemingly divergent approach to these issues. However, their arguments remain inadequate in terms of explanatory power. Throughout history, pantheism has been understood throughout history not as a concept with a single definition, but rather as a family of doctrines that include differences. The present study is based on general pantheism, with occasional reference to Spinoza’s views. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between pantheism and monism and its approach to the problem of evil in a monist context. To this end the conceptual framework of pantheism was delineated, and the relationship between pantheism and monism was discussed. The ensuing discussion encompasses the explanations that pantheism brings to the problem of evil in the context of monism, a range of pantheist defenses, proposed solutions, and their consistency. The discussion is then concluded with an evaluation of the criticisms.

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