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

question 7

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.
-Ivan asks Alyosha if he would consent to the torture and killing of one tiny child if the act would give all of humanity ultimate peace and happiness. To this Alyosha answers

• A) yes.
• B) yes, if the peace and happiness were forever.
• C) no.
• D) only if all other children were spared.

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Definitions:

Monkey

A primate belonging to the simian infraorder, characterized by its tail and, in many species, its ability to climb trees.

Phobias

Severe, unreasonable fear directed towards particular objects, activities, or situations resulting in evasion actions.

Panic Disorder

A psychiatric disorder characterized by sudden, repeated attacks of intense fear and discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes.

Fear of Snakes

An intense, irrational fear of snakes, also known as ophidiophobia, which can cause significant anxiety and avoidance behavior.