Free Will Defence

Question 1

If we were truly free would we know God? ( Free will defence )

Answer 1

Knowing God means our choices would never be truly free, actions must have consequences to be judged on our character.

Question 2

God can only do what is logically possible

Answer 2

He cannot force us to do wholly free and good choices - there must be evil to secure free will (by God’s definition) Not paradoxes

Question 3

Evil is only permitted because it brings about a

Answer 3

Greater good - cannot be imposed by God as our creator

Question 4

Justification of Natural evil in FWD

Answer 4

Only the correct amount of evil occurs to allow humans to effectively exercise free will.

Question 5

(FWD) Natural evil is a product…

Answer 5

A product of God creating moral evil

Question 6

Biological function - Swinburne

Answer 6

Emotion of fear keeps us from harm , causes us to learn for future situations.

Question 7

Swinburne - higher order defence

Answer 7

In order for us to have true compassion we must live in a world where people suffer needlessly.

Question 8

Swinburne - prevention of future suffering

Answer 8

Provides us with the knowledge of how to help others, laws of nature allow us to minimize risk
To be free we cannot be certain of the consequences of our actions

Question 9

Why does God not help ?

Answer 9

1 : Epistemic distance
2 : secularism allows people to come freely to God through evangelism

Question 10

Strengths of FWD

Answer 10

1: Explains our limited power through God’s omnibenevolence
2: bad actions must be possible for actions to be good
3: people must endure genuine unstoppable suffering to cultivate compassion

Question 11

Weaknesses of FWD

Answer 11

1: How could an omnibenevolent God allow such abhorrent acts (Holocaust) for moral growth?
2: can qualities not be developed separately from pain? Such as courage
3: Mackie - inconsistent triad is seen as God could have made people always choose good morally but be truly free and conscious in their decision