As a domain expert in philosophical and theological studies, I have spent considerable time exploring and analyzing various perspectives on the concept of "soul making." The term is often associated with theodicy, which is an attempt to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with the concept of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent deity. One of the most notable proponents of a soul-making theodicy was John Hick, a philosopher and theologian who developed his ideas around this concept.

The Meaning of Soul Making:

Soul making, within the context of theodicy, refers to the process by which individuals are shaped and refined through their experiences, particularly those involving challenges, hardships, and moral dilemmas. The idea is that these experiences are not random or pointless, but are part of a larger divine plan to cultivate virtues such as compassion, courage, wisdom, and love.


1. The Role of Suffering: Hick argued that suffering is not an arbitrary aspect of human existence but serves a purpose in the development of the soul. It is through suffering that individuals can grow in empathy, resilience, and moral understanding.


2. The Development of Virtue: The soul-making process is not just about enduring pain but also about the development of virtue. Virtues are seen as the qualities that enable individuals to live in accordance with the divine will. They are developed through the practice of moral discernment and the cultivation of moral character.


3. Free Will and Moral Agency: Central to the soul-making theodicy is the concept of free will. It is through the exercise of free will that individuals can make choices that either contribute to or detract from their soul's development. This also implies that the presence of evil and suffering is a necessary condition for the exercise of free will and the development of virtue.


4. The Divine Plan: According to this view, God's ultimate goal is not simply to create beings who are capable of recognizing and responding to divine love but to create beings who are capable of embodying divine virtues. This process requires a world that provides the necessary conditions for moral and spiritual growth.


5. The Journey Toward God: The soul-making process is also seen as a journey toward God. As individuals grow in virtue and understanding, they become more aligned with the divine will and more capable of experiencing the presence of God in their lives.


6. The Problem of Evil: The soul-making theodicy attempts to address the problem of evil by suggesting that evil and suffering are not direct acts of God but are the result of the free choices made by individuals within a world that is structured to allow for the development of the soul.

7.
The Eschatological Hope: There is often an eschatological dimension to soul-making theodicy, suggesting that the full realization of the soul's potential and the resolution of suffering will occur in the afterlife or through a future divine intervention.

Translation into Chinese:

灵魂制造，在神学辩护的背景下，指的是通过个体经历，特别是那些涉及挑战、困难和道德困境的经历，来塑造和提炼个体的过程。这种观点认为，这些经历并非随机或无意义的，而是更大神圣计划的一部分，旨在培养诸如同情心、韧性、智慧和爱等美德。


1. 苦难的角色： 希克认为，苦难不是人类存在中的随意方面，而是灵魂发展的目的。正是通过苦难，个体才能在同理心、韧性和道德理解上成长。


2. 美德的发展： 灵魂制造过程不仅仅是忍受痛苦，还涉及到美德的发展。美德被视为使个体能够按照神圣意志生活的品质。它们是通过道德判断的实践和道德品格的培养来发展的。


3. 自由意志和道德代理： 灵魂制造神学辩护的核心是自由意志的概念。正是通过自由意志的行使，个体可以做出有助于或有损于他们灵魂发展的选择。这也意味着邪恶和苦难的存在是行使自由意志和发展美德的必要条件。


4. 神圣计划： 根据这种观点，上帝的最终目标不仅仅是创造能够认识和响应神圣爱的存在，而是创造能够体现神圣美德的存在。这个过程需要一个提供道德和精神成长必要条件的世界。


5. 走向上帝的旅程： 灵魂制造过程也被视为走向上帝的旅程。随着个体在美德和理解上的成长，他们变得更符合神圣意志，并更能体验到生活中上帝的存在。


6. 邪恶的问题： 灵魂制造神学辩护试图通过提出邪恶和苦难不是上帝的直接行为，而是个体在一个允许灵魂发展的世界上自由选择的结果，来解决邪恶的问题。

7.
末世论的希望： 灵魂制造神学辩护通常有一个末世论的维度，表明灵魂潜力的完全实现和苦难的解决将在来世或通过未来的神圣干预中发生。

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John Hick (1922--2012) ... During this stage Hick also developed his Irenaean --soul-making-- theodicy in which he argued that God allows evil and suffering in the world in order to develop humans into virtuous creatures capable of following his will.read more >>