Soulmaking

Soulmaking is a term used to describe the process by which individuals develop moral and spiritual character through life experiences, choices, and struggle. In religious and philosophical discourse, it refers to growth toward virtue, meaning, and responsible agency rather than the preexistence of a perfected nature.

The concept is closely associated with the Irenaean theodicy, which holds that humans are created with potential that must be developed. John Hick popularized the modern use of the term, describing Earth as a “vale of soul-making” where evil and suffering contribute to moral and spiritual growth. The theory emphasizes epistemic distance from the divine to preserve genuine freedom and the possibility of moral development.

Mechanisms commonly cited include the exercise of free will, exposure to a broad range of experiences, and challenges that require perseverance, empathy, and faith. Proponents argue that virtues such as courage, compassion, and responsibility arise through adversity, and that a risk-free world would hinder substantial moral growth.

Critics contend that theodicies of this kind may not justify the scale or distribution of suffering, particularly for innocents, and that the assumptions about divine benevolence and afterlife are controversial. Some question the empirical relevance or logical coherence of the claim, while secular critics argue that moral development can occur without invoking a deity.

In contemporary discourse, soulmaking is also used as a metaphor in secular psychology and spirituality to describe personal development and meaning-making. Related topics include theodicy, Irenaean theology, and virtue ethics.