3. The Problem Of Evil Flashcards
What is MORAL EVIL?
The result of human immorality
What did John Hick define evil as?
Physical pain, mental suffering and moral wickedness
What is NATURAL EVIL?
The apparent malfunctioning of the natural world causing suffering
What did David Hume describe the problem of evil as?
The rock of atheism
What is the problem of evil?
If god is omnibenevolent, he is loving enough to want to stop evil. If god is omniscient and omnipotent, he must know when evil will occur and be powerful enough to stop it.
However, evil and suffering still exists.
What did Augustine say about the problem of evil?
‘either god cannot abolish evil or he will not’
Another name for the Inconsistent Triad… Who highlighted it in his work?
Mackie…. The Riddle of Epicurus
What is the Riddle of Epicurus?
God’s omnipotence, god’s omnibenevolence and the fact that evil and suffering still exist are all facts that MUST be accepted by theists. However, the conjunction of any 2 makes the third logically impossible.
What do monists think about evil, and what is the argument against their views?
Evil does not exist, it is an illusion and the absence of good.
PROBLEM: we know evil exists and it denies free will.
What do pantheists think about evil, and what is the argument against their views?
God is NOT all loving, both good and evil exist.
PROBLEM: Augustine said there cannot be two infinite causes
What do supporters of process theodicy think about evil, and what is the argument against their views?
God is NOT all powerful, evil and good exist, god has limited power.
PROBLEM: how can an all powerful god create a universe.
What do atheists think about evil, and what is the argument against their views?
Give an example of an atheist.
God does not exist, evil is real.
PROBLEM: atheism assumes we should be able to understand everything understood by god - maybe he does things that we can’t understand
David Hume
Give three purposes of evil
Punishment of wrongdoing by humans.
Evil is a test (e.g. Isaac).
Evil is essential for growth and achievement.
Evil allows gods love to be displayed.
What are the three possibilities suggested by David Hume? What do they conclude?
God is not omnipotent
God is not omnibenevolent
Evil does not exist.
We know evil exists from evidence - if god was real, then he must be impotent or malicious so god does not exist.
