Revised Compensation Theodicy: A Reply to Bruce R. Reichenbach

The revised compensation theodicy holds that the primary good of evils, in addition to the compensation of the afterlife, is to justify the existence evil. It holds that this primary good does not necessarily outweigh the evils present in the world, nor is it necessary that the primary good returns to the one who suffered. However, Reichenbach argued that this theodicy is fatally flawed. He asserted that the premises in this theodicy and its treatment of justice are objectionable, leading to an unacceptable conclusion where people are treated only as a means to produce goods. This article elucidates Reichenbach's position and responds to his objections, showing that the revised compensation theodicy has great potential in attempting to resolve the problem of evil.