evidential problem of evil Flashcards
what does the EPoE argue?
what is known about evil and suffering is evidence against the existence of God
what are the two types of evil in EPoE?
evil that is overwhelming in quality and quantity
evil that is pointed because it serves no useful purpose
what is the Permian-Triassic extinction?
eliminated about 90% of the species on earth
known as the great dying
natural evil
shows evil as overwhelming in quantity/pointless suffering
what are William Rowe’s 3 points about EPoE?
there are instances of evil that an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God could prevent and this being would still allow greater good without needing all the evil
and omniscient God would prevent intense evil (acceptable if for greater good)
therefore an omnipotent wholly good being does not exist
what does Rowe conclude in EPoE?
a God that is able to do anything and who is wholly good would not allow evil that is unavoidable or pointless
Rowe’s example of pointless animal suffering:
about a fawn trapped in a forest fire
lies in agony for days before its death relieves the pain
no need as nobody knew the fawn was there
Rowe’s example of abuse of child:
5 year old who got raped, severely beaten and murdered
even if this was for the greater good, all that was needed was for the child to be killed quickly
even then this is questionable as to what greater good was achieved by this
