Evil and suffering

Question 1

Define natural evil

Answer 1

Evil not caused by humans - happens as a result of nautral phenomenas/God

Question 2

Define moral evil

Answer 2

Evil caused by humans

Question 3

2 examples of natural evil (from the course)

Answer 3

The Permian-Triassic extinction (the great dying) and Mount Vesuvius (Pompeii)

Question 4

2 examples of moral evil (from the course)

Answer 4

Rowe - fawn dying in a forest fire, child abuse
Dostoyevsky - animal suffering and child abuse

Question 5

What was the name of the novel written by Dostoyevsky?

Answer 5

The Brothers Karamazov

Question 6

In Dostoyevsky’s novel what did Ivan state about heaven

Answer 6

He would hasten to return the ticket to heaven offered by God

Question 7

Which problem of evil does Dostoyevsky’s novel support

Answer 7

Evidential problem of evil

Question 8

What is the logical problem of evil

Answer 8

God cannot be omnipotent, omnibenevolent whilst evil exists

Question 9

What is the inconsistent triad

Answer 9

Three statements which cannot logically coexist as they are contradictory; God is omnibenevolent, omniscient, evil exists

Question 10

Who coined the phrase inconsistent triad?

Answer 10

Mackie

Question 11

What is Epicurus’ quote regarding the logical problem of evil?

Answer 11

Is God willing to prevent evil but not able? Then he is impotent. Is God able to prevent evil but unwilling? Then he is malicious. Is God both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?

Question 12

What are the two parts to the evidential problem of evil?

Answer 12

1. Evil is overwhelming in quantity and quality
2. Pointless suffering exists

Question 13

What example of moral evil supports pointless suffering?

Answer 13

Rowe - fawn trapped in forest fire and abuse of little girl

Question 14

What example of moral evil supports evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality?

Answer 14

Dostoyevsky - animal and child abuse

Question 15

Who came up with a version of the free will defence only to reject it?

Answer 15

Mackie

Question 16

What are first order goods and evils according to Mackie?

Answer 16

The experience in life of good and evil

Question 17

What are second order goods according to Mackie?

Answer 17

Our responses to experiences of good and evil

Question 18

One example of God using natural evil as a punishment

Answer 18

the Flood / 10 plagues

Question 19

How would Augustine respond to natural evil?

Answer 19

It is part of a larger good plan

Question 20

Rabi Greenberg’s quote regarding evil and suffering?

Answer 20

No statement, theological or otherwise, should be made that would not be credible in the presence of burning children”

Question 21

Mackie’s quote on God removing evil

Answer 21

A wholly good being eliminates evil as far as it can

Question 22

How can statement 1 (omnipotence) of the inconsistent triad be denied?

Answer 22

Process theodicy: God is not all powerful therefore cannot stop evil

Question 23

How can statement 2 (omnibenevolence) of the inconsistent triad be denied?

Answer 23

Dawkins: the God of the old Testament is arguable the most unpleasant character in all of fiction

Question 24

How can statement 3 (evil exists) of the inconsistent triad be denied?

Answer 24

Augustine - privatio boni

Question 25

What does privato boni mean?

Answer 25

Absence of good - evil does not exist as an entity in and ofitself - it is just the absence/lack of good

Question 26

What quality of God does the evidential problem of evil add to the problem of evil?

Answer 26

God’s omniscience

Question 27

How can God’s omniscience support the problem of evil?

Answer 27

Why would an all knowing God create a universe/humans that he knew would cause such extensive suffering

Question 28

How can the original sin be used as a defence against the problem of evil

Answer 28

Evil is a result of human abuse of free will

Question 29

What parable did Kierkegaard propose?

Answer 29

The king and the humble maiden

Question 30

What was the point of Kierkeegard’s parable?

Answer 30

God allows us to freely choose to love God - no constraints or restrictions by God therefore we have complete free will