The Logical Problem Of Evil Flashcards
What is a deductive argument?
A deductive argument is an argument that relies on certain premises to be true for the conclusion to be true, making it logically certain
What is the logical problem of evil?
-The logical problem of evil is a deductive argument that asserts the existence of God is logically incompatible with the presence of evil in the world.
-It argues that if God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent, He would have both the power and the desire to eliminate all evil and suffering. Therefore, the existence of evil and suffering suggests that such a God cannot exist.
Who was David Hume?
An 18th century Scottish Philosopher and Empiricist
What did Hume say about the logical problem of evil?
-David Hume, building upon the classical challenge originally posed by Epicurus, restates the logical problem of evil: if God is all-powerful and morally perfect, why does so much suffering exist? -According to Hume, “the existence of evil is incompatible with a morally perfect and omnipotent deity.” The natural world, also contains diseases, natural disasters, and predation—all of which seem difficult to reconcile with the idea of a caring divine mind
-Hume powerfully asserts, “there can be no grounds for such influence when there are so many misfortunes in the universe,” suggesting that the suffering we observe stands in stark contrast to the qualities traditionally attributed to the God of classical theism.
Who was J.L Mackie?
-J.L Mackie was an Australian philosopher
What did J.L Mackie state about the logical problem of evil?
-J.L. Mackie’s concept of the “inconsistent triad” underscores the apparent contradiction between the existence of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good God and the presence of evil in the world
-He famously stated, “God is wholly good and yet evil exists,” emphasising that the existence of evil poses a logical contradiction within the traditional theistic view.
