The Problem of Evil and the Grammar of God

In the contemporary Anglo-American philosophy of religion the problem of evil is one of the most widely discussed questions. In the context of these discussions, many prominent philosophers of religion have tried to offer a plausible - or, at least, a possible - explanation why an omnipotent and perfectly good being allows evil in the world and is also morally justified in doing that. There are also philosophers and theologians who think that this way of thinking is seriously misguided. In my paper I will deal with some ethical, theological/ metaphysical and meta-philosophical arguments that have been offered against conceptual frameworks used in the discussion of theodicy. In particular, I will pay attention to affinities and differences between the ways D.Z. Phillips and Brian Davies have criticized contemporary forms of theodicy. I will also analyse the relation between their thought by taking up the question of the nature and aim of philosophy of religion.Peer reviewe