Why This World Cannot Be the Best Possible World

Exploring Divine Limitations, Dualism, and the Problem of Evil

If we imagine a world created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God, most would envision a realm free from suffering, malice, and imperfection—a utopia that reflects divine love and power. Yet, the world we inhabit is far from this ideal. Disease, war, natural disasters, systemic injustices, and human malevolence paint a starkly different reality. These contradictions drive a profound philosophical and spiritual question: If an all-powerful and loving God exists, why is this world so far from perfect?

Philosophical debates have long grappled with this question, and several possibilities arise. Perhaps God does not exist as traditionally conceived. Perhaps no spirit realm exists at all, leaving the universe devoid of divine intervention. Alternatively, God might exist but be limited in power, love, or both. Lastly, the imperfections of the world might suggest the influence of negative entities, giving rise to ancient dualistic beliefs. Recent research and testimonies lend intriguing evidence to the idea of spiritual forces influencing our world—both benevolent and malevolent—providing fresh insights into why this is not yet the “best possible world.”

Evidence for Benevolent Spirit Beings

The idea of a wholly materialistic world without spiritual dimensions is increasingly challenged by evidence from psychic mediums, prophets, and researchers in the field of consciousness studies. Figures like Professor Gary Schwartz and Professor Archie Roy have presented compelling findings that suggest the presence of benevolent spirit beings who interact with humanity. These spiritual entities, often described as guides or protectors, appear to influence our lives in ways that promote growth, healing, and unconditional love.

Similarly, many religious traditions and spiritualists speak of angelic beings or higher powers intervening in human affairs, offering comfort, assistance, and guidance. Thousands of accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) also describe encounters with benevolent beings who communicate messages of love, forgiveness, and hope. Collectively, this evidence supports the idea that spiritual forces exist and work for humanity’s benefit.

However, the existence of such benevolent beings also introduces a troubling question: If these positive forces are real, why don’t they prevent the malevolence and suffering in the world? In traditional monotheistic frameworks, where an all-powerful God is thought to govern all existence, such a dichotomy might suggest the failure—or unwillingness—of divine intervention. This inconsistency weakens the notion of an entirely omnipotent and omnibenevolent deity.

The Problem of Evil and the Role of Negative Entities

If benevolent spiritual forces exist, why does evil remain pervasive? A possible explanation lies in the existence of malevolent entities, referred to in various religious traditions and spiritual accounts as demonic forces, tricksters, or fallen angels. These entities are often described as working against the divine effort to bring order, love, and harmony into the world. Their influence is directly addressed in many systems of faith, from Christianity’s “Satan” and demons to dualistic frameworks like Zoroastrianism, which posits a cosmic struggle between good and evil forces.

Demonic influence has been documented in numerous firsthand accounts from spiritual practitioners, psychologists, and exorcists. Figures like Father Gabriele Amorth, the former Chief Exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, have recorded chilling evidence of demonic possession and spiritual oppression in human lives. Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck also detailed cases of patients whose suffering seemed rooted in malevolent spiritual forces, even concluding that some cases of evil defy psychological explanations. Documenters of paranormal phenomena, such as the creators of the documentary series A Haunting, present evidence of individuals experiencing palpable and terrifying encounters with malicious entities.

These accounts lend credence to the idea that evil in our world may not be purely human or material in origin. They suggest a spiritual war is being waged between forces of good and evil, with humanity caught between the two.

Revisiting Gnostic and Dualistic Frameworks

The evidence of both benevolent and malevolent forces aligns with metaphysical frameworks like Gnosticism, which advocates a form of mitigated dualism. Gnostics believe the material world is inherently flawed and that its imperfections are the result of a lesser or malevolent creator, often called the Demiurge. While the ultimate, all-loving God exists, Gnostics argue, this supreme being is not directly responsible for the creation of our flawed world.

According to the Gnostic view, the struggle between good and evil is ongoing, and God is actively working to rescue souls from the grip of darkness. Mitigated dualism posits that while God is ultimately more powerful than the forces of evil, the process of cosmic purification takes time. Each soul must be separated from the corrupting influences of evil in a gradual, redemptive process. Within this framework, the imperfections and suffering of the world are not indications of God’s absence or malevolence but rather evidence of an ongoing, cosmic battle.

This dualistic perspective helps resolve certain philosophical tensions. It accommodates the presence of suffering and evil in a world governed by a loving God, framing these forces as remnants of an imperfect creation that is still being redeemed. It also accounts for the role of benevolent spirit beings, assigning them the task of aiding humanity in its spiritual development and separation from evil.

Is This the Best Possible World?

The notion that this world cannot be the best possible world is an inescapable conclusion when confronted with such a mix of beauty and suffering, divinity and malevolence. A truly perfect world would erase hunger, pain, hatred, and mortality. If an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God existed in the way many religions traditionally frame Him, there would be no logical place for such widespread suffering and evil.

Instead, the evidence suggests a more complex reality—one in which divine love is present but limited in its capacity to intervene within the material realm. If a dualistic framework is correct, God may allow suffering to persist as part of a broader process of redemption, working to gradually overcome the shadows of malevolent forces.

Ultimately, this perspective challenges us to rethink our assumptions about God, the cosmos, and the nature of existence. While unsettling, it also inspires hope: if God and the forces of good are actively working to overcome evil, then suffering is not meaningless. It is a temporary flaw in an incomplete masterpiece, awaiting its final unveiling when good triumphs over evil, and the world becomes closer to the ideal we long for.

Whether through prayer, spiritual practices, or scientific inquiry into the nature of consciousness, humanity’s role appears to be one of partnership in this cosmic process—choosing love, wisdom, and virtue to align ourselves with the forces of good and aid in the eventual redemption of our world.