2026-03-26
Seminar: The Problem of Evil and Theodicy in the History of Philosophy
On March 19, 2026, as part of the ongoing seminar series organized by the Department of Philosophy within the Faculty of Humanities at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, a seminar titled “The Problem of Evil and Theodicy in the History of Philosophy” was held. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Abdirashit Babataev (PhD), Senior Lecturer of the Department.
During the event, the problem of evil—one of the most complex and significant topics in the history of philosophy—was examined in detail. The discussion explored its conceptual essence, historical formation, and interpretations across various philosophical traditions. Special attention was paid to the concept of theodicy, which seeks to answer why evil exists in a world created by a benevolent deity, based on the views of thinkers from different historical epochs.
The seminar offered a comparative analysis of ideas ranging from ancient philosophy and medieval religious-philosophical interpretations to the rational inquiries of the modern era and contemporary philosophical approaches. This perspective allowed students to gain a deeper understanding of the central role of the problem of evil in philosophy, the significance of theodicy, and its historical transformations.
The seminar was conducted in an interactive format, where students actively engaged in the discussion, asking questions and sharing their own perspectives. We believe that such initiatives contribute to the development of students’ analytical and philosophical thinking, as well as a more profound mastery of key issues in the history of philosophy.
