Problem of Evil Flashcards
Define irrational theism
Belief despite evidence against it
Define rational theism
Belief due to evidence
Define arational theism
Belief without knowledge or evidence
Define inconsistent triad of beliefs
The idea that the benevolence and omnipotence of God, and the existence of evil are mutually incompatible
Define theodicy
An attempt to justify God in the face of evil in the world
Define natural evil
Evil and suffering caused by non-human agencies
Define moral evil
Evil done and suffering caused due to the deliberate misuse of free will
Define free will
The ability to make independent choices between real options
Define ‘privatio boni’
A phrase used by Augustine meaning an absence of goodness
Define epistemic distance
a distance in knowledge and understanding
Who is credited as first recognising the problem of evil?
Epicurus (as credited by Hume)
Who developed the logical problem of evil?
J.L. Mackie- inconsistent triad of beliefs
fits with principle of non-contraction
What does Mill believe about the nature of God?
Evidence in nature does not indicate a good and loving creator, instead one that is cruel and malevolent (also used for teleological argument)
Describe the problem of evil as an evidential problem
A-posteriori, inductive
Uses experiences of suffering as evidence (also second hand experiences through news reports etc.)
Describe how Augustine described evil
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)
Describe Augustine’s theodicy
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
Describe the Irenaean theodicy
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)
How did Hick further develop the theodicy?
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
Quote from Genesis about suffering
‘The ground will be under a curse. You will have to work hard all your life’
Give 5 weaknesses of the Irenaean theodicy, and possible responses
- 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 - Doesn’t account for UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION of suffering
R- Necessary for compassion, generosity, selflessness etc - Extreme suffering doesn’t always lead to SPIRITUAL GROWTH, it can break someone
R- We just trust God’s omniscience - 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 - 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
Give 5 weaknesses and possible responses of the Augustinian theodicy
- 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 - God’s omniscience means he knew they would Fall
R- There may be a greater purpose we don’t know about - 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 - Why did God create the world if he knew there would be so much suffering?
R- we must trust God’s omniscience - Why did God not create more good? Grace is unjust
R- Variety is what made the creation good
How did Irenaeus answer the question as to why didn’t God create us in his likeness?
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’
How could Swinburne’s ideas be used to support the Irenaean theodicy?
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
