1.4 Evil and Suffering Flashcards
Define moral evil
evil committed by humans
Define natural evil
evil and suffering in the natural world
Define the problem of evil
How can the god of classical theism exist alongside evil and suffering
What is the logical problem of evil
An all loving and all powerful god cannot exist alongside evil
What is the evidential problem of evil?
An omniscient god knows about evil and suffering and would stop it
One example of natural evil in the bible
the Palgues in Exodus, noah’s ark
Finish the quote by Rabi Greenberg “No statement should be made that would not …
“be credible in the presence of burning children£
Finish the quote by Mackie: “a wholly good being …
“elimates evil as far as it can”
Finish Roth’s quote: “Good though he may be….
“Griffin’s god is too small”
Who would argue that God is not omnipotent?
Process theologians
Who would argue that God is not omnibenevolent?
Militant atheists such as Dawkins
Who would argue that evil does not exist?
Augustine of Hippo - privatio boni
What is privatio boni?
The absence of good
What are the 2 parts to the problem of evil?
- evil is overwhelming in quality and quantity
- pointless suffering
What quality of God does the evidential problem of evil challenge?
God’s omniscience
What is the greater good argument?
certain evil and suffering is necessary if it serves a greater purpose
What is the permian triassic extinction?
A mass extinction event where over 81% of marine life became extinct
What part of the evidential problem of evil does the permian triassic extinction support?
Evil is overwhelming in quantity and quality
Who wrote the brothers karamazov?
Dostoyevsky
What part of the evidential problem of evil does the brothers karamazov support?
evil is overwhelming in quantity and quality
What examples of evil are found in the Brothers karamazov?
Horse beaten to death by master
Unspeakable cruelties to children
Finish Ivan’s statement “Heaven is too high a price to pay …
“I would hasten to give my ticket back”
What is Rowe’s example of evil
A fawn trapped in a forest fire due to a lightning strike
A young girl abused and killed
What part of the evidential problem of evil does Rowe support support?
Pointless suffering
What is the free will defence?
God has given up control of humans in order to bring about a greater good
Why is free will necessary according to the free will defence?
Genuine free will requires the ability and opportunity to do good and evil
Who are the supporting scholars for the free will defence?
- Augustine
- Mackie
- Plantinga
How does the free will defence resolve the problem of evil?
Shows God is not responsible for evil and evil is necessary
What is a criticism of the free will defence?
God could have created a world with only good and neutral actions