Evil and the Problem of Impermanence in Medieval Japanese Philosophy

Authors

  • Yujin Nagasawa University of Birmingham

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.2022.3816

Abstract

The problem of evil is widely considered a problem only for traditional Western monotheists who believe that there is an omnipotent and morally perfect God. I argue, however, that the problem of evil, more specifically a variant of the problem of evil which I call the ‘problem of impermanence’, arises even for those adhering to the philosophical and religious traditions of the East. I analyse and assess various responses to the problem of impermanence found in medieval Japanese literature. I argue that the only response that is potentially satisfactory requires supernaturalism. I conclude, therefore, that the problem of impermanence is a unique problem posing a greater challenge to naturalists than to supernaturalists

Published

2022-10-22

How to Cite

Nagasawa, Yujin. 2022. “Evil and the Problem of Impermanence in Medieval Japanese Philosophy”. European Journal for Philosophy of Religion 14 (3):195-226. https://doi.org/10.24204/ejpr.2022.3816.

Issue

Section

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