In This Scene from Dostoevsky's the Brothers Karamazov, Ivan Karamazov

question 8

Multiple Choice

In this scene from Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, Ivan Karamazov explains to his pious younger brother, Alyosha, a Christian monk, why he cannot accept God. Ivan's impediment to full devotion to God is the problem of evil. He declares that there is untold, unfathomable suffering in the world-suffering such as that of a little child who is tortured, mutilated, and murdered by a ruthless general for no reason. God allows this suffering, but no adequate justification or explanation can be given why God would permit such evil.
-According to Ivan, to achieve a higher, cosmic harmony

• A) everyone must suffer.
• B) no one should suffer.
• C) children should not have to suffer.
• D) even children should suffer.

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Definitions:

Psychokinesis

The purported ability to move or manipulate objects with the mind without physical intervention; considered a paranormal phenomenon.

Precognition

The psychic ability to know or predict events before they happen, beyond the scope of normal sensory perception.

Telepathy

The purported communication of thoughts or ideas between individuals without using the known senses.

Perceptual Constancy

The brain's ability to perceive objects as unchanging despite variations in the viewing conditions like lighting, angle, or distance.