Evil and suffering Flashcards
What could be another solution about denying evil exists?
Augustine argued evil is a privation of good. It doesn’t exist on its own but instead is the absence of good.
What is the evidential problem of evil?
Points to the gratuitous and intense suffering which cannot be justified.
What is a real example of moral evil?
The brothers Karamazov
Why does free will lead to moral evil?
If God can no longer control, humans are capable of good and evil and so moral evil is inevitable.
What does Plantinga have to do?
- show that Mackie’s claim that God could have created humans to freely choose good.
- provide a logically possible reason why God allows evil. Doesn’t have to be true just possible.
What does Plantinga’s morally sufficient reason one explain?
logical problem of evil
What is a weakness of process theology about Christianity?
it is speculation and has no authority. Not Christian.
What is moral evil?
evil that is the result of the misuse of free will. Caused by humans.
What is a quotation talking about explanations of God’s allowance of evil?
“No statement, theological or otherwise should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children.”
What is natural evil?
evil that humans cannot be held accountable for.
What is the logical problem of evil?
God is omnipotent.
God is omnibenevolent.
Evil exists.
What are these three statements (God is omnipotent.
God is omnibenevolent. Evil exists.) known as?
the inconsistent triad
What type of argument is the logical problem of evil?
deductive and priori
Who presents the logical problem of evil?
Mackie.
What do theists believe?
a set of inconsistent beliefs
What could one solution be about omnipotence?
we deny God is omnipotent. This would then mean God isn’t worship worthy.
Who takes this view (we deny God is omnipotent. This would then mean God isn’t worship worthy.) ?
Griffin - process theology
What are the two solutions that there is a sufficient reason why God allows suffering?
The free will defence.
Hick’s eschatological solution - soul making theodicy.
What is gratuitous?
unnecessary
What is the fawn in the forrest?
Lightning causes a forest fire and the fawn is burnt to death in agony for many days.
What is the case of sue?
a five year old girl was beaten, raped, strangled and killed by her mum’s boyfriend.
Explain how suffering from natural and moral evil brings out some of the best feelings in human nature?
When someone is suffering we can sympathise and feel compassion. This makes the world a much better place.
What is the main fundemental difference between how children respond to their parents and how humans respond to God?
Some children never learn to respond to their parents but eventually the whole human race as a whole will respond freely to God.
What are some other criticism points?
- not what it says in the bible.
- not fair as some people do very evil things.
- some people are made worst by their suffering.
What is the main view about the importance of free will?
a world with free beings are more valuable than a world without free beings.
