Human Suffering And Evil In Dostoevsky's The Grand Inquisitor

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Human suffering and evil exist and are very prevalent in society today. Disease, natural disasters, murder, and torture are some of the evils that exist today. When people think about these, their conscience tells them that they are wrong and cause pain. People initially respond with compassion, but eventually they try to make sense of the situation. They seek for a purpose that can help justify why evil can destroy the lives of innocent people. Many see it is seen as part of human existence and a greater plan. Evil and suffering can lead one to appreciate the good things even more and feel that it makes them stronger. However, these reasons cannot give an explanation that justifies the purpose of evil. The purpose of evil is unknown, but one can try to understand it through asking questions in relation to their ultimate concern. After one is impacted by suffering or evil, they will have a deeper meaning in life.
There is a purpose for bad things, even though there may not be an explanation or justification. Many people can attempt to find the purpose of evil and suffering through the human capacity of reason. In Dostoevsky’s, The Grand Inquisitor, the main character Ivan …show more content…

Both fail to find a clear answer and conclude that human beings are not capable of understanding the reasons. The purpose of evil or suffering to bring harmony or to make us stronger, better humans that appreciate the good can be difficult to use as justification for suffering and evil. Although, these may sometimes result, they cannot justify the evil or suffering and “too high a price is asked for harmony” (Dostoevsky, 16). However, they comfort one by showing the occasional good or lesson that comes from evil. One can come to a deeper understanding of their ultimate concern because evil causes one to question their purpose. Meaning can still result, even though it does not justify the

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