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

question 12

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.
-The central question raised by Ivan Karamazov is:

• A) Why is there something rather than nothing?
• B) What is evil?
• C) How could a good God permit evil?
• D) What is religion for?

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Definitions:

Internal Consistency

The degree to which different elements of a psychological test or assessment measure the same concept or construct.

Personality Test

An assessment tool designed to reveal aspects of an individual's character or psychological makeup.

Basic Concept

A fundamental idea or principle that serves as the foundation for a system of beliefs or behaviors.

Case Studies

A research method involving an in-depth analysis of a single unit such as an individual, group, event, or community, often used in psychology and social sciences.