The basics Flashcards
What three attributes of God does the problem of evil concern?
His omnipotence, omnibenevolence, omniscience.
What is the basic problem of evil?
It asks the question, if God were all the attributed, he claims to be, why does evil exist in some capacity in the world?
what is the formal logical problem of evil?
P1: Evil exists in the world
P2: If God were omnibenevolent, he would want to stop the evil in the world
P3: If God were omniscient, he would know how to stop the evil in the world.
P4: If God were omnipotent, he has the power to stop all evil in the world.
P5: God has not stopped the evil in the world.
C: Therefore, God does not have one or more of these attributes.
P6: A being without these attributes is not God.
C2: Therefore, God does not exist.
what is the formal evidential problem of evil?
P1: Evil exists in the world.
P2: God is omniscient, omnibenevolent, and omnipotent.
P3: There are issues with their compatibility.
- There is too much evil
- There is not enough reason for evil
- There is an unfairness to the distribution of evil.
What is the difference between the evidential problem and the logical problem of evil?
The logical problem of evil is concerned that there is ANY evil in the world at all, and claims that it is illogical. However, the evidential problem is concerned with the fact that there is so much evil, or that it is so extreme.
What example did William Rowe use when supporting the evidential problem of evil?
He used the example of a deer trapped alone in a forest fire which suffers for days on end before finally dying in a painful way. To hm, how can we justify an omnibenevolent God who allows suffering of this magnitude.
What was Mackie’s problem of evil and suffering?
1) God is omnipotent
2) God is wholly good
3) Evil exists
4) A being which is fully good would try to eliminate good as far as possible.
5) God hasn’t done this, therefore he does not exist.
