Problem of Evil

Question 1

Define irrational theism

Answer 1

Belief despite evidence against it

Question 2

Define rational theism

Answer 2

Belief due to evidence

Question 3

Define arational theism

Answer 3

Belief without knowledge or evidence

Question 4

Define inconsistent triad of beliefs

Answer 4

The idea that the benevolence and omnipotence of God, and the existence of evil are mutually incompatible

Question 5

Define theodicy

Answer 5

An attempt to justify God in the face of evil in the world

Question 6

Define natural evil

Answer 6

Evil and suffering caused by non-human agencies

Question 7

Define moral evil

Answer 7

Evil done and suffering caused due to the deliberate misuse of free will

Question 8

Define free will

Answer 8

The ability to make independent choices between real options

Question 9

Define ‘privatio boni’

Answer 9

A phrase used by Augustine meaning an absence of goodness

Question 10

Define epistemic distance

Answer 10

a distance in knowledge and understanding

Question 11

Who is credited as first recognising the problem of evil?

Answer 11

Epicurus (as credited by Hume)

Question 12

Who developed the logical problem of evil?

Answer 12

J.L. Mackie- inconsistent triad of beliefs

fits with principle of non-contraction

Question 13

What does Mill believe about the nature of God?

Answer 13

Evidence in nature does not indicate a good and loving creator, instead one that is cruel and malevolent (also used for teleological argument)

Question 14

Describe the problem of evil as an evidential problem

Answer 14

A-posteriori, inductive

Uses experiences of suffering as evidence (also second hand experiences through news reports etc.)

Question 15

Describe how Augustine described evil

Answer 15

Augustine was formerly a Manichee (believed in Manicheism) and believed in a light and dark (good and bad force) however he rejected this when he became a Christian and nothing could rival God.
Evil is just a lack of good (privatio Boni)

Question 16

Describe Augustine’s theodicy

Answer 16

As part as variety and good diversity in his creation, some angels received less grace than others (less help in being holy)
Angels misused free will, choosing to rival him rather than worship him
Adam and Eve were then tempted by the chief of the fallen angels
Soul-deciding theodicy

Question 17

Describe the Irenaean theodicy

Answer 17

The existence of evil was created by God as an act of his benevolence
He created a mixture of good and evil so that humans could grow and develop their best traits (eg generous or brave or patient)
People were not made fully developed- embryonic creation
God made people in his image, this includes giving them free will
It is also necessary for development. Doing something right in the name of morality is far better than because you have to (similar to Kant, who argued you can only act morally if you have freedom of choice)
Moral evil is necessary for these choices to be genuine, natural evil creates an environment for soul-making
We need to grow into God’s likeness (this is only possible after death)

Question 18

How did Hick further develop the theodicy?

Answer 18

Experience and challenges are essential in order to develop morally
The world is a ‘vale of soul-making’
Rejected Augustinian theodicy as incompatible with modern science
Epistemic distance is necessary for free will
Dead babies- soul making continues in the afterlife

Question 19

Quote from Genesis about suffering

Answer 19

‘The ground will be under a curse. You will have to work hard all your life’

Question 20

Give 5 weaknesses of the Irenaean theodicy, and possible responses

Answer 20

1. Doesn’t account for the EXTENT of suffering (extreme suffering isn’t necessary)
   R- Suffering is relative. God’s omniscience helps him determine what’s necessary
2. Doesn’t account for UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION of suffering
   R- Necessary for compassion, generosity, selflessness etc
3. Extreme suffering doesn’t always lead to SPIRITUAL GROWTH, it can break someone
   R- We just trust God’s omniscience
4. WHY did God create the world if it would involve so much suffering?
   R- What we learn is far more valuable and outweighs the suffering. God’s omniscience should be trusted
5. Some suffering goes UNWITNESSED by humans
   R- The illusion of unwitnessed suffering is a part of development. Unwitnessed suffering may be caused by moral evil and not God, caused by free will

Question 21

Give 5 weaknesses and possible responses of the Augustinian theodicy

Answer 21

1. Relies too heavily on a literal belief of Adam and Eve
   R- even without the literal story, the idea that we caused suffering not God still stands
2. God’s omniscience means he knew they would Fall
   R- There may be a greater purpose we don’t know about
3. Unjust- all of humanity should not suffer for their misuse of free will
   R-God cannot intervene as it would take away pour free will
4. Why did God create the world if he knew there would be so much suffering?
   R- we must trust God’s omniscience
5. Why did God not create more good? Grace is unjust
   R- Variety is what made the creation good

Question 22

How did Irenaeus answer the question as to why didn’t God create us in his likeness?

Answer 22

The analogy of a mother and her child

The mother could give her infant string food however ‘The child is not yet able to receive more substantial nourishment’

Question 23

How could Swinburne’s ideas be used to support the Irenaean theodicy?

Answer 23

God is like a loving father, who teaches their child to ride a bike despite knowing they will fall off and get hurt
In the end it is worth it as they are taught more important skills