Wandering in Darkness

Narrative and the Problem of Suffering

Eleonore Stump (Saint Louis University)

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Hardback

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English

Oxford University Press
23 November 2010

Philosophy; Religion: general; Philosophy of religion

Only the most naïve or tendentious among us would deny the extent and intensity of suffering in the world. Can one hold, consistently with the common view of suffering in the world, that there is an omniscient, omnipotent, perfectly good God? This book argues that one can.

Wandering in Darkness first presents the moral psychology and value theory within which one typical traditional theodicy, namely, that of Thomas Aquinas, is embedded. It explicates Aquinas's account of the good for human beings, including the nature of love and union among persons.

Eleonore Stump also makes use of developments in neurobiology and developmental psychology to illuminate the nature of such union. Stump then turns to an examination of narratives. In a methodological section focused on epistemological issues, the book uses recent research involving autism spectrum disorder to argue that some philosophical problems are best considered in the context of narratives. Using the methodology argued for, the book gives detailed, innovative exegeses of the stories of Job, Samson, Abraham and Isaac, and Mary of Bethany. In the context of these stories and against the backdrop of Aquinas's other views, Stump presents Aquinas's own theodicy, and shows that Aquinas's theodicy gives a powerful explanation for God's allowing suffering. She concludes by arguing that this explanation constitutes a consistent and cogent defense for the problem of suffering.

By: Eleonore Stump (Saint Louis University)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 254mm, Width: 181mm, Spine: 44mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780199277421
ISBN 10: 0199277427
Pages: 690
Publication Date: 23 November 2010
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Eleonore Stump is The Robert J. Henle, SJ, Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University, where she has taught since 1992. She received a Ph.D. in medieval studies and medieval philosophy from Cornell University in 1975.

Reviews for Wandering in Darkness: Narrative and the Problem of Suffering

Stump's book is original, insightful, and brilliant. This magnum opus is the product of measured thought and mature experience. In it, Stump mounts a strong, lucid defense of a traditional Christian (specifically Thomistic) understanding of the problem of suffering (limited in her investigation to the suffering of fully functional adult persons). To do this, she uses both analytic philosophy and narratives... The philosophy is excellent... those who share the Thomistic worldview will also find Stump's reflections to be deeply moving reminders of the excellence and wonder of God's love. Glen Hardin, Religious Studies Review immensely ambitious... her interpretation of the four biblical narratives is... stunningly successful, repeatedly finding new levels of meaning. Stephen Mulhall, Times Literary Supplement