Problem Of Evil

Question 1

Logical problem

Answer 1

This is the deductive problem (if all premises true, then all true but if one wrong then all wrong) that Gods existence is logically incompatible with evil. The inconsistent triad, posed by Epicurus and J.LMackie.

Question 2

Evidential evil

Answer 2

This is the inductive problem. It makes God’s existence unlikely or improbable, there is just too much evil.
Evil is always suffered and experienced by someone individually. If a million people die, a million people hurt and then a million that love them hurt too. It is not a theoretical problem.

There is two kinds:
Moral evil
Natural evil

Question 3

Augustine’s theodicy

Answer 3

Original perfection:
made good.
privation
privatio boni

The fall:
fall of angels and the fall of man
reject God

soul-deciding theodicy
test of faithfulness and goodness

Free will:
Augustine
freely choose

Question 4

Irenaeus’ theodicy

Answer 4

provide opportunities for people to choose
Adam and Eve,
part of growing up

soul-making.
God sends evil to help us in this.
be patient for God making the world,
free will of humanity and God’s work.
salvation.

Question 5

John Hick

Answer 5

soul-making and explained its consequences.
genuine freedom

epistemic distance
natural evil
zombies,
constantly intervened

Question 6

Universal salvation

Answer 6

Hell
produce good,
purgatorial and temporary,

love and mercy.
reject or accept God
eternal life

Question 7

Richard Swinburne

Answer 7

Briefly, he says we need to have previous knowledge of evils to be able to stop them or refrain from them. So evil is instrumental.