Ramanuja, the 11th-century Indian philosopher and theologian, is widely known as the proponent of Vishishtadvaita Vedanta – a school of thought that combines the principles of Advaita (non-dualism) and Vishishta (qualified monism). One of the key aspects of Ramanuja's philosophy is his understanding of the problem of evil and how it can be addressed within the framework of Vishishtadvaita.

The problem of evil is a philosophical dilemma that questions the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God in the face of the existence of evil and suffering in the world. Ramanuja's philosophy provides a unique perspective on this issue by proposing that the existence of evil is not a flaw in the nature of God, but rather a necessary aspect of the world.

According to Ramanuja, the universe is a manifestation of the ultimate reality, Brahman, and is therefore inherently good. However, this goodness is not absolute and is subject to the limitations of the material world. The material world is characterized by duality – the coexistence of good and evil, pleasure and pain, happiness and suffering. This duality is a result of the individual souls' ignorance and their attachment to the material world.

Ramanuja argues that the individual souls are not separate from Brahman but are rather a part of it. However, due to their ignorance, they perceive themselves as separate entities and become attached to the material world. This attachment leads to the accumulation of karma, which determines the nature of their existence and experiences in the material world. Therefore, the existence of evil and suffering in the world is a consequence of the individual souls' ignorance and their attachment to the material world.

Furthermore, Ramanuja believes that God, being the ultimate reality, is not responsible for the existence of evil. Instead, God is the source of all good and is constantly working towards the liberation of individual souls from their ignorance and attachment. This liberation is achieved through the practice of Bhakti – devotion and surrender to God. By surrendering to God, individuals can transcend their attachment to the material world and attain moksha – liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

In essence, Ramanuja's philosophy addresses the problem of evil by redefining the concept of God and emphasizing the role of individual souls in the manifestation of evil. It also offers a solution through the practice of Bhakti, which allows individuals to overcome their ignorance and attachment and attain liberation from the material world. Thus, Ramanuja's philosophy provides a comprehensive understanding of the problem of evil and offers a way to reconcile its existence with the belief in an all-powerful and benevolent God.