Evil And Suffering Flashcards
What is the definition of evil?
Profound immortality and wickedness, especially when regarded as a supernatural force.
What is the definition of suffering?
The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.
What is the definition of God?
An all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving being who is eternal and infinite.
What is the definition of theodicy?
Any attempt to solve the ‘problem of evil’
What are the origins of evil
- The Devil - a ‘fallen angel’ who tries to corrupt God’s creation (earth/humans).
- Humans - the ability to choose (free will) means humans can choose positive and negative actions.
- Evil is the opposite of Good - they are ‘polar concepts’, things that only make sense in relation to their opposite. So without Evil there will be no Good.
- Punishment - evil is the punishment handed out by God for our bad actions.
What is the definition of natural suffering?
It is an inevitable result of the function of the planet-earthquakes etc are not a sign of imperfection but part of the complex operation of the planet.
What is the problem of Evil?
For believers, the problem is how they can believe in a God able to prevent evil, who knows about evil and is loving but who allows evil things to happen.
What is the definition of Free Will as a solution of evil?
Evil is the result of human choice; God created humans not as machines but as beings able to choose; there must be the capacity for wrong choices, and some people make these.
What is the definition of Holiness Argument as a solution of evil?
Evil is simply the ‘absence of Good’ - it doesn’t exist as something, but as the absence of something else.
What is the definition of Karma as a solution of evil?
Evil is simply the ‘payback’ for previous bad actions (Hindus believe these could be from different lives).
What is the definition of Irenaean Theodicy as a solution of evil?
Humans face challenges as part of a journey towards perfection with God. Evil is simply some of the hurdles we face.
What is the definition of Limited Understanding as a solution of evil?
We simply cannot understand God and God’s purpose - our duty is to maintain faith regardless of ‘evil’.
What is the definition of Suffering and Evil?
Evil is seen as ‘moral evil’ - acts carried out by a person or people. For example, a terrorist act might be seen as evil, or a vicious assault, or any such human act.
Suffering tends to refer to ‘natural suffering’ - suffering that results from natural events such as an earthquake or hurricane or flooding.
What do philosophers say about Evil and Suffering?
- If God is omnipotent he must be able to remove evil and suffering.
- If God is omni-benevolent he must want to remove evil and suffering because they cause unhappiness.
- Therefore if God was real there would be no evil or suffering.
- As there is evil and suffering there is no God.
What is the ‘Romans 12’ quote?
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
