Logical Problem of Evil

Question 1

Logical problem of evil:

Answer 1

1. God is omnipotent
2. God is omnibenevolent
3. Evil exists

Question 2

These three statements are known as…

Answer 2

the inconsistent triad - cannot all be true

Question 3

Solutions that deny one of the three statements:

Solution 1:

Answer 3

Denying Gods omnipotence

Question 4

Denying Gods omnipotence:

Answer 4

if he isn’t omnipotent then unable to control evil and so cannot be blamed for its continued existence.
The preferred solution of Process theology

Question 5

This is an issue…

Answer 5

for most believers a God who is omnipotent would not be worthy of worship. No argument to prove that God is omnipotent - its a matter of faith

Question 6

Solution 2:

Answer 6

denying Gods omnibenevolence

Question 7

For many Christians this is…

Answer 7

unthinkable as belief that God is both good and loving supports those who experience evil.

Question 8

According for Freud…

Answer 8

God’s omnibenevolence is just a case of wish-fulfilment: there is no all-loving God, only the desire for one.

Question 9

However, Freuds argument doesn’t work…

Answer 9

because wishing something to be true doesn’t mean that it isn’t true.
Not possible to show his omnibenevolence as much as his omnipotence.

Question 10

Solution 3:

Answer 10

this solution was proposed by Augustine of Hippo.

He argued that evil is privatio boni - a privation of good.

Question 11

Augustine said…

Answer 11

evil does not simply exist in its own right but its in an absence of good.

Question 12

However, denying the reality of evil doesn’t seem acceptable as…

Answer 12

most people have experienced the power of evil to disrupt their lives and most people see evil as being real and tangible as good.

Question 13

Solutions that argue there is a sufficient reason why God allows evil to exist:

Answer 13

1. Free will defence

2. John Hicks eschatological solution

Question 14

1. Free will defence

Answer 14

argues that God has to allow evil in order to preserve free will.
The good has to be freely chosen
In order to bring about the ‘goods’ such as

Question 15

In order to bring about the ‘goods’ such as…

Answer 15

compassion and love we have to be ‘free’ to choose the opposing vices of hatred and heartlessness.
Therefore, humans are morally responsible for moral evil and God is not.

Question 16

2. John Hick’s eschatological solution

Answer 16

is the theology of what will happen at the end of the universe - the theology of death, judgement, heaven and hell.
Idea that in the end everybody will reach God’s kingdom. In this case, evil is a necessary part of the process by which we become fit for heaven.

Question 17

Its the idea that…

Answer 17

in the end everybody will reach God’s kingdom.

In this case, evil is a necessary part of the process by which we become fit for heaven.

Question 18

Evidential problem of evil

Answer 18

There are known facts about evil that are evidence against the existence of God

Question 19

Two types of evil which supply such evidence:

Answer 19

1. Evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality e.g. acts of genocide
2. Evil that is pointless because it serves no useful purpose. - natural evil (however, may be said as not pointless as bring about resistance of people tog/ improve knowledge)

Question 20

Evidential problem is made worse by

Answer 20

the problem of God’s omniscience

Question 21

The evidence from evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality.

Answer 21

evidential prob of evil based simply on what we observe about evil.