Which philosopher criticized the theodicy by stating it is morally unacceptable to justify horrors like the Holocaust?

The philosopher who criticized theodicy in the context of moral justifications for immense suffering, such as the Holocaust, is D.Z. Phillips. His critique is rooted in the idea that narratives or philosophical arguments attempting to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in a benevolent God are fundamentally flawed when they seek to justify morally atrocious events. Phillips argued that turning to theodicy in the face of such suffering does not adequately address the moral implications of those events and can lead to a trivialization of the deep human suffering involved.

Phillips emphasizes that discussing the existence of evil alongside divine goodness in abstract theological terms often fails to grasp the gravity of real-world atrocities. His stance highlights that moral considerations must take precedence when grappling with issues of suffering, making it unacceptable to attempt to rationalize horrors by framing them within the context of a greater good. This important critique serves as a powerful reminder to maintain a focus on the human element of suffering rather than trying to justify it through theoretical frameworks.