Trent Dougherty

Trent Dougherty is an American analytical philosopher who has specialized on the problem of evil.

Career

Dougherty obtained a MA in philosophy from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a PhD from the University of Rochester in 2009. He was a philosophy professor at Baylor University from 2009 to 2018. He was found "responsible" on some allegations and "not responsible" on others. He was a former Executive Editor of the Journal of Analytic Theology. The book argues that the only possible way that animal suffering could be justified is that if the animals are resurrected after death and become full-fledged persons. He was influenced by Irenaeus' "soul-making" theodicy popularized by philosopher John Hick. Critics have stated that Dougherty's soul-making theodicy combined with an animal afterlife keeps the reason for suffering obscure.

Selected publications