logical problem of evil vs evidential problem of evil Flashcards
What is the intro ?
logical problem shows that there is a logical contradiction between the existence of evil and an omnipotent, benevolent God.
Evidential problem- uses empirical evidence in the world around us to show why god would have caused this amount of suffering
what is the scolars ?
Scholars – Mackie, Augustine, W.Rowe , Dostoyevsky.
what is ur view ?
My view – logical problem of evil poses as a greater challenge to belief
what is the point in para 1 ?
The logical problem of evil is the greatest challenge to belief because Mackie – inconsistent triad
If God is really omniscient, then why did he create a universe knowing that extreme examples of suffering and evil would occur.
what is the counterargument in para 1 ?
there are many solutions such as god is not benevolent and it is just a view that has just come from New Testament focus on love – Old testament god seems to be fair but brutal.
Also the definitions of omnibenevolent and omnipotent need to change.
how will u counteract the counteragument in para 1 ?
Augustine also agrees with this and states that ‘Either God cannot abolish evil or He will not; if He cannot then He is not all-powerful: if He will not then He is not all-good”.
what is the point in para 2 ?
an a priori argument because the conclusion follows from a logical analysis of definitions of the concepts “omnibenevolence”, “omnipotence” and evil, without reference to experience.
If god was all loving then he should care for us enough that he wouldn’t want us to suffer. He sent is son to earth for us so why would he want us to suffer ?
what is the counterargument in para 2 ?
some may say the evidential argument is better because there are huge amounts of suffering in the world and that it is the vast quantity of pain that poses the greatest challenge to belief .
how will u counteract the counterargument in para 2 ?
evidential problem of evil is a greater challenge to belief because it highlights the inconsistency of belief in a theistic God who has the characteristics of being all-powerful, all-knowing and all-good. – since evil continues these attributes are irrational and contradictory – therefore making one question his existence.
