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evil and suffering Flashcards

1
Q

What is the problem of evil?

A

The philosophical dilemma regarding the existence of evil in a world governed by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and benevolent God.

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2
Q

What are the two main types of evil?

A

Moral evil and natural evil.

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3
Q

Define moral evil.

A

Evil that results from human actions, such as crime, violence, and injustice.

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4
Q

Define natural evil.

A

Evil that results from natural events, such as earthquakes, floods, and diseases.

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5
Q

What is theodicy?

A

Justifications or explanations for why a benevolent God permits evil and suffering.

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6
Q

True or False: The existence of evil contradicts the existence of God.

A

True.

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7
Q

What is Augustine’s view on evil?

A

Evil is a privation of good, meaning it exists as a lack of goodness.

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8
Q

What is the Free Will Defense?

A

The argument that God allows evil to exist because it is a consequence of granting humans free will.

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9
Q

Fill in the blank: According to the _______ view, suffering can lead to personal growth and development.

A

soul-making

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10
Q

What is the significance of the ‘Fall’ in the context of evil?

A

It explains the introduction of moral evil into the world through human disobedience.

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11
Q

Who proposed the concept of ‘soul-making’ theodicy?

A

John Hick.

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12
Q

What does the term ‘theodicy of protest’ refer to?

A

A response to suffering that questions the justice and goodness of God.

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13
Q

True or False: According to utilitarianism, the presence of suffering can be justified if it leads to a greater overall happiness.

A

True.

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14
Q

What is process theology’s view on God and evil?

A

It suggests that God is not omnipotent in the traditional sense and is affected by the world’s suffering.

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15
Q

What is the significance of the Book of Job in discussions of evil and suffering?

A

It explores the nature of suffering and the relationship between God and humanity.

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16
Q

What is the ‘Inconsistent Triad’?

A

The idea that God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and evil exists, which presents a logical contradiction.

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: According to existentialist philosophers, suffering is an inherent part of the human _______.

A

condition

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18
Q

What is the concept of ‘divine hiddenness’?

A

The idea that God’s existence is not evident due to the presence of evil and suffering.

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19
Q

True or False: The existence of evil can lead to a stronger faith in God.

A

True.

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20
Q

What is the significance of ‘redemptive suffering’ in Christian theology?

A

It suggests that suffering can have a purpose and can lead to salvation or spiritual growth.

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21
Q

Who is associated with the ‘logical problem of evil’?

A

Epicurus.

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22
Q

What is the main idea of ‘existentialism’ regarding suffering?

A

Suffering is a fundamental aspect of existence that individuals must confront.

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23
Q

What role does empathy play in the human response to suffering?

A

Empathy can lead to compassion and action to alleviate the suffering of others.

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24
Q

Fill in the blank: _______ argues that suffering can lead to a greater understanding of love and joy.

A

C.S. Lewis

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25
What is epistemic distance?
A distance in the dimension of knowledge between humanity and God
26
What does the evidential problem of evil argue?
The amount of suffering in the world makes it unreasonable to believe in God
27
What is the free-will defence?
The view that humans have free will which can explain and justify the existence of evil
28
What is an inconsistent triad?
A set of three propositions where at least two can be true but not all three
29
What does the logical problem of evil assert?
That 'God is Love', 'God is all-powerful', and 'there is evil in the world' are logically inconsistent
30
Define moral evil.
Intentional human action or inaction that results in suffering
31
Define natural evil.
Causes of suffering within the natural world including disaster, disease, decay, and death
32
What is panentheism?
The view that all 'is in God'; God is the soul of the universe
33
What does 'persuade' mean in the context of Process Theology?
To coax or influence; God created the universe by persuading existing material
34
What is the problem of evil?
The challenge that the existence of evil poses for faith in God, recognized in two forms
35
What is a theodicy?
A justification of the 'God of Classical Theism' arguing that God is fair to allow evil
36
What does transcendent mean?
The idea that God is above and beyond space-time
37
What is Universal Salvation according to John Hick?
The idea that all humanity will be saved and enter 'heaven'
38
Who was Fyodor Dostoevsky?
A Russian novelist and journalist (1821-1881)
39
Who was Epicurus?
A Greek philosopher (341 BC - 270 BC)
40
Who is David Griffin?
An American professor of Philosophy and Religion (1939 - present)
41
Who was John Hick?
A liberal Christian lecturer and author in Philosophy (1922 - 2012)
42
Who was JL Mackie?
An Australian philosopher known for works on the Defence of Atheism (1917 - 1981)
43
Who was JS Mill?
An English philosopher, former MP, and Utilitarian ethicist (1806-1873)
44
Who is Alvin Plantinga?
An American philosopher (1932 - present)
45
Who was William Rowe?
An American atheist philosopher (1931-2015)
46
Who is Richard Swinburne?
A former professor of philosophy at University of Oxford (1934 - present)
47
What is natural evil?
Natural evil is that which the world does to us, including accidents, disasters, and diseases. ## Footnote Examples include car crashes, droughts, earthquakes, and floods.
48
List some examples of natural evil.
* Accidents (car and plane crashes) * Natural disasters (earthquake, flood, drought) * Diseases (plague, parasites) * Extreme weather (storm, tsunami, forest fire) * Other phenomena (famine) ## Footnote Natural evils can range from minor irritations to catastrophic events.
49
How do natural disasters challenge religious beliefs?
Natural disasters are often difficult for religious people to accept as they are not usually attributed to human free will. ## Footnote The blame often falls on God, who is seen as having the power to control nature.
50
What significant event did the 2008 Sichuan earthquake cause?
The 2008 Sichuan earthquake killed about 70,000 people and left around 5 million homeless. ## Footnote It is one of the deadliest earthquakes in recent history.
51
What was the impact of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa?
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa killed around 36,000 people and generated tsunamis over 150 feet high. ## Footnote This event is known for its massive destructive power.
52
What is the significance of the Thera/Santorini eruption?
The Thera/Santorini eruption was estimated to be six times more powerful than Krakatoa and destroyed Minoan civilization. ## Footnote It caused a huge tsunami that impacted northern Crete.
53
How does moral evil differ from natural evil?
Moral evil can be attributed to human free will, whereas natural evil is typically not blamed on human actions. ## Footnote However, human activity can exacerbate natural disasters, as seen with global warming.
54
What biblical events illustrate God's use of natural evils?
God used natural evils, such as plagues and the Flood, to punish people as seen in the stories of Exodus and Genesis. ## Footnote These events raise questions about divine justice and intervention.
55
What miracles did Jesus perform related to natural evils?
Jesus performed miracles such as healing diseases, multiplying food, and calming storms. ## Footnote These acts demonstrate his power over nature.
56
What does John 9:1-13 suggest about suffering?
It suggests that suffering may serve a purpose, providing an opportunity for God's works to be manifest. ## Footnote Jesus healed a blind man to demonstrate this principle.
57
Fill in the blank: Natural disasters are often the most difficult form of evil for _______ to accept.
religious people
58
True or False: Moral evil is usually blamed on God.
False
59
What does the resurrection of Jesus symbolize in relation to natural evil?
It symbolizes God's conquest over death and natural evils. ## Footnote This event is central to Christian belief about salvation.
60
What is moral evil?
Any action where the moral agent uses their will to bring about morally bad consequences or inaction by the moral agent.
61
What does the term 'moral agent' refer to?
Any being capable of acting in accordance with what is right and wrong.
62
List three examples of moral evils.
* Adultery * Bullying * Murder
63
True or False: Moral evil can only occur through action, not inaction.
False
64
What is an example of moral evil through inaction?
Letting somebody drown when the agent could have saved them.
65
What was the Rwandan genocide?
An attempt by the Hutu population to exterminate the Tutsi population, resulting in the slaughter of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu.
66
What percentage of the Rwandan population were Hutu and Tutsi respectively?
Hutu: 85 percent, Tutsi: 14 percent.
67
What was a significant aspect of the Rwandan genocide regarding international response?
The lack of official condemnation and intervention by the United Nations and former colonial powers.
68
What is the Holocaust?
The genocide carried out by Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945, exterminating 6 million Jews and around 3 million other 'undesirables'.
69
How many Jews died in the Holocaust?
Approximately 6 million.
70
What percentage of Jews who died in the Holocaust did so at the Auschwitz complex?
One in six.
71
What was the fate of 80 percent of Jews arriving at Auschwitz?
They were murdered within hours.
72
Fill in the blank: Moral evils include _______.
[a list of various moral evils such as adultery, arson, bullying, cruelty, deceit, discrimination, dishonesty, genocide, greed, lying, murder, rape, ruthless ambition, slavery, terrorism, theft, and torture]
73
What is a common perception regarding the identification of moral evils compared to moral goods?
It can be easier to think of things that are morally evil than of things that are morally good.
74
What is described as 'demonic' regarding the Nazis and their actions during the Holocaust?
The level of depravity shown by the Nazis and their collaborators.
75
What iconic image is associated with the Holocaust?
The entrance to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
76
What is the logical problem of evil?
An argument against the existence of God based on logic alone, claiming that the existence of an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God is inconsistent with the existence of evil.
77
What does the problem of evil challenge?
It challenges belief in the God described by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
78
What is the core question posed by the problem of evil?
If God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent, why do evil and suffering exist?
79
What conclusion do people draw about God based on the existence of evil?
They argue that such a God cannot exist.
80
Who is often attributed with the problem of evil?
The Greek philosopher Epicurus.
81
Which philosopher referenced the problem of evil in relation to Epicurus?
David Hume.
82
What are Epicurus's old questions regarding evil?
Is God willing to prevent evil but not able? Is He able but not willing? Is He both able and willing? Whence then is evil?
83
Who is the well-known modern proponent of the logical form of the problem of evil?
JL Mackie.
84
What does Mackie claim about the problem of evil?
It is a problem for someone who believes in an omnipotent and wholly good God and is a logical problem, not a scientific or practical one.
85
What is the 'inconsistent triad' in the problem of evil?
The three proposals that God is perfectly good, God is all powerful, and evil and suffering exist.
86
Why is the 'inconsistent triad' considered inconsistent?
It is alleged that we cannot believe all three propositions at the same time without contradiction.
87
What could an all-powerful God have created according to the problem of evil?
A world without pain, illness, or death; or people who only choose kind acts.
88
What do some people conclude about God based on the existence of evil?
That an all-loving, all-powerful God cannot exist if there is evil and suffering in the world.
89
Fill in the blank: The problem of evil presents a picture of a self-contradictory God whose attributes are _______.
[mutually exclusive]
90
True or False: The problem of evil can be solved by further observations.
False.
91
What analogy is used to explain the logical issue of God's existence in relation to evil?
The analogy of a square circle.

philosophy (2 decks)

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