Suffering & Evil

Problems of Evil and Suffering
PHILOS 123 / REL St 103
Fall 2022

Class time/location: M/W 2:00–3:20; Steinhaus Hall 128 (map here)

DISCUSSION SECTIONS
Mondays, HICF 100L (map here)
Section 1: 4:00–4:50pm / Section 2: 5:00–5:50pm

Professor: Brianne Donaldson — b.donaldson@UCI.edu
Office Location HIB 56; map here (lowest level & end of the hall)

Graduate Teaching Assistant: Evan Sommers — sommerse@uci.edu
Office Location HIB XXX; map here (lowest level & end of the hall)

DESCRIPTION

In this class, we will examine the problems of evil and suffering in cross-cultural philosophical perspectives, including prominent and marginal theories and responses. These include examples from Buddhist philosophy, Jain karma, the Hebrew Bible, Existentialist, Stoic and Darwinian views, among other varied perspectives addressing race, class, gender, and animal suffering. We will attempt to logically evaluate each view while retaining empathic proximity. We will reflect on the experience of suffering and death as it relates to the pursuit of a meaningful life and discuss what the problem of evil can positively generate for the future of philosophical, religious, and social reflection.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

Distinguish key concepts within various accounts of evil and suffering (such as theodicy, karma, natural evil, moral evil, logical problem of evil, evidential problem of evil, etc.)
Identify features of theistic and non-theistic accounts of evil and suffering.
Contrast western and karmic/alternative accounts of evil and suffering through two short essays
Reflect on their own inherited beliefs through evolving inquiries

OPENING RECITATION

"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid."
—Frederick Buechner (pronounced Beek-ner)
1926–2022; American writer, novelist, poet, autobiographer, essayist, Presbyterian theologian

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE US! (Fall 2022)

Visiting hours are a time especially for you. You are very welcome.
Where to find my office: Humanities Instructional Bldg, Lowest level, Room #56 (Philosophy Dept; map here). Visiting hours start Week 2, October 3, 2022.

Brianne's visiting hours

Monday noon–1pm; in person
Other times by appointment and Zoom (link here); just contact me (note that I often don't check email after 6pm)
When writing to me, please include a greeting such as "Hi _____" or "Dear _____" so I feel like a means to your success as well as my own end; I will endeavor to do the same for you.

Evan's visiting hours

Tuesday 11–1pm: https://uci.zoom.us/j/4712620027

REQUIRED TEXTS

Tex, a cat who lets me live with her, keeping the readings organized.

The Problem of Evil: Selected Readings, Second Edition by Michael Peterson

SBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0268038473
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0268038472
Buy online $20–35

Death (the Art of Living) by Todd May

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1844651649
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1844651641
Available here or buy online $25–30

The Buddha and the Terrorist by Satish Kumar

- ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8183282814
- ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8183282819
- Buy online $3–10 (various cover designs; all ok)

POLICIES

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Attendance will begin the third week of class, after the drop/add deadline (Oct. 7, 2022). After this date, all students can miss two classes without penalty. On the third absence, students will receive a one-time 3-point deduction, and an additional 3-point deduction for every absence thereafter. If you have an extended illness, extended family emergency, or extended immigration-related issue, please contact me as soon as you are able to and we will discuss a plan going forward. *Also, if something has kept you from reading or feeling prepared for class, please still come. You can always “pass” in discussion. So long as this is not a regular occurrence, your engaged presence will still benefit you, your peers, and our collective work.

ADD/DROP DEADLINES
Students may DROP or ADD a course through 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the second week of classes October 7, 2022; click here.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND PLAGIARISM
We are here to do the hard work of learning together. Academic dishonesty erodes this goal and your own self confidence, and is a serious academic offense that can result in failing a paper, failing the class, and academic dismissal from the university. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism (copying words, phrases, or ideas from other authors/sources without giving citation credit), copying answers from another student, allowing another student to copy your answers, communicating exam answers to other students during an exam, attempting to use notes or other aids during an exam, or tampering with an exam after it has been corrected and then returning it for more credit. These actions are a violation of the UCI Policies on Academic Honesty . It is your responsibility to read and understand these policies. Note that any instance of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Academic Integrity Administrative Office for disciplinary action and is cause for a failing grade in the course.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS
All of us have different abilities, strengths, and challenges with learning. Students who believe they may need accommodations to succeed in this class are encouraged to register online with the Disability Services Center (or call 949-824-7494) as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. This can include priority test-taking, seating preference, transportation, document conversion, among many other possible accommodations. Also, please feel free to meet with me to discuss any ways I can make any aspect of the classroom, materials, or assignments more accessible.

UCI MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE PHONE LINES (24-HRS/DAY)
UCI has several free resources and services to support well-being and safety. Click here.

FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY
Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course, is urged to contact the FRESH Basic Needs Hub and the Basic Needs Coordinator, Andrea Gutierrez, at agordill@exchange.uci.edu. Also, please notify me if you are comfortable doing so. This will enable me to inform you of resources that might be of help.

FIRST GENERATION SUPPORT!
Check out the School of Humanities' first-generation services here, including incoming seminar, peer mentor program, and more.

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
Disciplined use of devices for note taking or looking up information relevant to an immediate discussion in class is welcome. Checking out cat memes, texting, and personal email, while tempting, is not. It is evident to everyone when a colleague is checked out of class and into their device, and it lessens what the class can be as a whole. I prefer to leave this disciplined restraint to you, but will address it myself if needed. I will do my best to facilitate an active learning environment whenever possible.

LATE WORK POLICY
The late policy will begin after the drop/add deadline of October 7, 2022. There is a one-hour grace period on all assignments, except online quizzes, which must be completed by class time. After the drop/add deadline, late assignments of up to 40 points will receive a one-time 3-point deduction; late assignments over 40 points will receive a one-time 5-point deduction. All work is due by the last day of the final exam.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

1. Personal Reflection on Evil and Suffering (8 points) [4%]
2. Monday Canvas Quizzes (Best 6 of 8; 36 possible points) [16%]
3. Wednesday Question Sets (Best 5 of 8; 30 possible points) [14%]
4. Two Short Essays (40 points each; 80 points total) [38%]
5. Final Exam (60 points) [28%]
6. Discussion section participation (1 extra credit point per class, up to +10)
Total Points 214

1. ATTENDANCE
For Mon/Wed Lecture: See attendance policy in above "Policies" section (2 free absences; -3 points every absence thereafter)
For Monday Discussion Sections: +1 point for every attendance

2. WEEK 1 PERSONAL "SNAPSHOT": MY PRESENT VIEW ON EVIL AND SUFFERING (8 points)
Open worksheet here

Snapshot Reflection on Evil&Suff Worksheet.docx
File Size:	13 kb
File Type:	docx

Final Exam Study Guide (evil and suff, Nov. 2022).docx
File Size:	17 kb
File Type:	docx

Job's Complaint
File Size:	2539 kb
File Type:	pdf

Ghaly, Evil, Suffering, Islam.pdf
File Size:	683 kb
File Type:	pdf

Mahn, Neighbor Love excerpt.pdf
File Size:	2870 kb
File Type:	pdf

Problems of Evil and SufferingPHILOS 123 / REL St 103Fall 2022Class time/location: M/W 2:00–3:20; Steinhaus Hall 128 (map here)DISCUSSION SECTIONSMondays, HICF 100L (map here)Section 1: 4:00–4:50pm / Section 2: 5:00–5:50pm

DESCRIPTION

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

OPENING RECITATION

STUDENT VISITING HOURS: COME SEE US! (Fall 2022)

REQUIRED TEXTS

POLICIES

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

RESOURCES: 5 WAYS TO TAKE NOTES AND BEDFORD CITATION GUIDE

WEEKLY SCHEDULE ​(and tips for class preparation)

Week 1​

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

www.briannedonaldson.com

Problems of Evil and Suffering
PHILOS 123 / REL St 103
Fall 2022

Class time/location: M/W 2:00–3:20; Steinhaus Hall 128 (map here)

DISCUSSION SECTIONS
Mondays, HICF 100L (map here)
Section 1: 4:00–4:50pm / Section 2: 5:00–5:50pm

WEEKLY SCHEDULE (and tips for class preparation)

Week 1