Theodicy

Theodicy (Gr. theos, 'God,' and dikē, 'justice'), a name given to the exposition of the theory of Divine Providence, with a view especially to the vindication of the attributes, and particularly of the sanctity and justice of God in establishing the present order of things, in which evil, moral as well as physical, so largely appears to prevail. The name is of modern origin, dating from the close of the 17th century, or the beginning of the 18th century; but the theory, as well as the mysterious problem which it is meant to resolve, is as old as philosophy itself (see EVIL). The first to consider the question in its integrity was the celebrated Leibnitz (q.v.); and see OPTIMISM.