Final answer:
There are various theological and philosophical perspectives that challenge the idea of purely cruel gods. Some perspectives include the problem of evil, the belief in higher reasoning of the gods, and the diversity of conceptions of deities in different religions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psyche believes the gods may not truly be cruel because there are various theological explanations and philosophical perspectives that challenge the idea of a purely cruel deity. One perspective is based on the problem of evil, which questions how a deity that is all good, all knowing, and all powerful can allow evil to exist in the world. Another perspective is the belief that the actions of the gods are justified according to their own principles and higher reasoning, which may be beyond human understanding. Additionally, some people argue that different religions have different conceptions of a deity, and it is important to consider the specific beliefs of each religion when discussing the nature of gods.