The POE

Question 1

How does the existence of evil and suffering in the world reflect on God?

Answer 1

The presence of evil and suffering in the worlds causes many religious believers ti doubt thr existence of a God of classical theism or even at God at all

Question 2

What are the two types of evil?

Answer 2

Natural evil and moral evil

Question 3

What is natural evil?

Answer 3

It’s evil that “originates independently of human actions” being the malfunctioning of the world for example “eathquakes, storms, droughts, tornados”

Question 4

What is moral evil?

Answer 4

This is evil that to Swinburne is “caused deliberately by humans” as humanity has free will to make their own choices.

Question 5

What us a theodicy?

Answer 5

A theodicy is a justification of a God of classical theism despite the presence of evil and suffering in the world

Question 6

What do many regions try and do when making a theodicy?

Answer 6

Rpthey try to resolve the problem of evil by justifying gods actions

Question 7

What does the Greek theos and dike mean?

Answer 7

Theos means God and dike means justice

Question 8

What does Nygren state about theodicies? And who is he?

Answer 8

Nygren a Christian philosopher in Commentary on Romans wrote that it is wrong to try and justify God, as humanity in their simplicity cannot try and explain God as humans are too small and irrelevant compare to God.

Question 9

What does Bertrand Russel believe a it evil and suffering?

Answer 9

He believes that the universe has no explanation it’s just the way it is, with the presence of evil and suffering

Question 10

What two main religions have the biggest problem with evil and suffering?

Answer 10

Christianity and Jewish

Question 11

How do Jews explain the origins of evil?

Answer 11

They believe that evil derived from the book of Genesis, they state that God created everything ‘very good’ with no presence of evil, however evil became prominent when Adam and Eve autonomously chose to disobey gods commands and ate the forbidden fruit off the tree of knowledge p, tempted and deceived by the serpent. Therefore suffering is the punishment for showing disobedience to God

Question 12

After writing about the book of Genesis what do people say about the existence of the serpent?

Answer 12

Many say that the serpent in the garden of Eden represented the devil and this can be argued that due God God creating all beings and small he must have created the serpent to tempt Adam and Eve, suggesting that God gave humanity the inclination to disobey him and therefore God is to be blamed for the evil in the world and therefore suffering is is an innecessary punishment

Question 13

What does the book of Job state?

Answer 13

The book of Job demonstrates a faithful and privileged man called job who has everything deisred an thoroughly worships God, Satan stating that job is only loyal as he has everything. Throughout the story God took everything from job, killing his children and destroying his house, but job “did not sin charging God with wrong doing” only questioning gods reasons, God respons to the ‘council without knowledge’ that his omnipotence and omniscience is far beyond human understanding and is “too wonderful for me (Job) to know” this being a microcosm of the worlds problem of evil reinforcing that humanity should not question the working of God

Question 14

What are the Jewish explanations/ solutions for the problem of evil? The main points

Answer 14

Atonement for sins
Some abandoned faith after holocaust
Evil is a test
Evil allows humans to show good qualities

Question 15

Describe how evil is seems as atonement for sins

Answer 15

Many Jewish philosophers and believer say that the presence of suffering was send and s way of atonement for sins stating that “the Lord will send on you are curse…because of the evil that you have done” this ability to sins deriving from Adam and Eve. For example, many of the Jews who were exiled from Babylon believed that it was a punishment from god

Question 16

Describe the explanations of God after the holocaust?

Answer 16

After the holocaust were 6million Jews were systematically murdered due ti their beliefs, many abandoned their faith and gave up on God as the allowance of this extremity of suffering concluded that God was not all loving, all knowing or all powerful; or there was no God at all.

However others believe that the holocaust was punishment for their sins and God is a just God and allowing them to suffer so they can go to heaven. However this does not explain the indiscriminate suffering of young children.

Question 17

Describe how Jews believe the holocaust was a test?

Answer 17

Another views of suffering fir example the holocaust, many Jews believed that it was a test from God, similar to job, to see whether they would remain faithful to God despite the hardship. This showing gods care to humanity allowing them to strengthen their bond with God

Question 18

Describe evil allowing people to improve and show their qualities

Answer 18

Jews also believed that by God allowing evil and suffering it enables them the opportunity to shows love and compassion showing their “likeness of God” “because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character” this showing gods omnibenevolence enabling humanity a higher likelihood of living an eternal life in heaven justifying the existence of evil

Question 19

What according to Hume is the problem of evil?

Answer 19

“The Rock of atheism”

Question 20

What is the Islamic solution/explanation for the problem of evil?point

Answer 20

Evil and suffering is allays will

Question 21

What do Islamic believers believe bout Allan?

Answer 21

That hi is omnipotent and everything is under his control including evil and suffering

Question 22

What does Quran state about evil and suffering?

Answer 22

‘Some of you are sent to die and some sent back to the feeblest old age’ showing that it is Allan’s will,

Question 23

Do Muslims believe that God is just despite evil and suffering in the world?

Answer 23

They believe that it is just for Allah to punish people as he is the omnipotent creator of everything

Question 24

What does Islam translate to and how does this solve the Poe?

Answer 24

Islam means submission, the Muslim way to solve or cope with suffering is to submit to the will of Allan without committing sins of doubt or complaint. This shown is prostration, having to kneel to allah showing their unworthiness against Allah

Question 25

Why should Muslims remain faithful to Allah throughout suffering?

Answer 25

Because they see life as a test in preparation for their next life

Question 26

Do Hindus and Buddhists have a problem with existence of evil and suffering and why?

Answer 26

No they don’t have a problem, this is because they both believe in Samsara, the idea that suffering is an inevitable part of life, and the force behind suffering is the doctrine of karma.

Question 27

How does karma solve the Poe?

Answer 27

Karma is the belief that all volitional actions gain fruits/ consequences, this is a natural law of nature that causes suffering as a result of gaining bad karmic fruits for bad actions.

Question 28

Why do Hindus believe you should be kind to everyone?

Answer 28

They believe that people are reborn after death, and believe that whatever happens in your current life, whether good or bad is due to the karmic fruits gained in your previous life, eg if born into poverty or baby born with a health defect, Hindus and Buddhists believe it is due to the sinful led previously. This view very controversial eg old England football manager said to reporter he believed children born with disabilities is a punishment got sacked They believe they should be nice to everyone as the person may be a relative of friend in their new life also get bad fruits

Question 29

Who’s fault is evil and suffering to Hindu and Buddhists?

Answer 29

Humanity’s fault they do bad things therefore no problem as inevitable

Question 30

What are the Christian solutions an explanations for the Poe? Points

Answer 30

The work of the devil

Question 31

What does the presence of evil and suffering for Christians say about God?

Answer 31

The existence of evil and suffering in the world makes many doubt there is a God of classical theism haivg qualities of omnibenevolence, omnipotence and omniscience.

Question 32

Fully how do Christians solve the problem of evil?

Answer 32

Christians explain the existence of evil and suffering is the work of the devil, adopting the dualistic approach; whereby it is believed that there are two distinct and opposing principles, in this case, the devil representing evil and God being good. These being in constant battle with each other. It being ‘Satan leading the world astray’. The dualistic approach takes form of Zoroastrianism which directs that the universe is a battle field of opposing forces, “not against enemies of flesh and blood” but against the “forces of evil”. However many Christians state that as God created the world, he must also have created the Devil, demonstrating gods l capacity of evil and lack of benevolence if this being the case then humanity cannot be punished for evil as God created it.

Also arguing against the view of a classical thiestic God, some Christians believe that the Devil, like god has always existed, if this is the case it shows that God is not responsible for evil in the world, but it suggests at he is not omnipotent as if he was surely he is able to destroy the “powers of this present darkness” showing that God is not able to remove evil from he world

Question 33

What is the epicurean paradox?

Answer 33

This is the logical solution to the problem of evil where Epicurus states that “is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent; is he able but not willing? Then he is malevolent; is he both able and willing? The whence comments evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?” This theory concluding that the existence of evil proves there to be no God, or not a classical thiestic God.

Question 34

Who developed the modern version of the epicurean paradox and what it is called?

Answer 34

Modern Australian philosopher J.L Mackie developed the inconsistent triad another logical solution to the Poe

Question 35

Explain the inconsistent triad

Answer 35

This is a deductive theory that relies on correct premises in order to be valid. Mackie states that “a good omnipotent thing eliminates evil completely, and the propositions that a good omnipotent thing exists and that evil exists awe incompatible” concluding that evil and a God of classical theism cannot exist g the same world together. Therefore no God

Question 36

What did Hume conclude about God and evil?

Answer 36

After the inconsistent triad…… Hume concluded that if God was omniscient he would know evil and suffering exists and know how to stop it; if God was omnibenevolent he would want to stop suffering and therefore stop it; and if God was omnipotent then he would stop evil and suffering. But it does exist so a God of classical theism cannot

Question 37

What was the quote that supports Hume’s solution of God?

Answer 37

Murdoch stated that “I cannot imagine any competent sentiment, being sufficiently cruel to create the world be inhabit”

Question 38

When as Augustine born?

Answer 38

354-430 CE

Question 39

What are the main points for Augustine’s solution to the problem of evil?

Answer 39

Supports a God of classical theism
Evil comes from Adam and Eve original sin
God is just to punish so can get to heaven

Question 40

What was Augustine’s book?

Answer 40

Confession

Question 41

What did Augustine believe about the origins of evil?

Answer 41

He wrote, that from Genesis the world was shown to be perfectly good as ‘God saw what he made, and it was very good’, without the existence of evil as “nothing is evil within itself” it is privative and parasitic and does not exist on its own, it is the privation of good. Augustine believed that evil occurs, when being p’s with free will, ie angles and human, use their freedom to turn their backs on God, this shown when Adam and Eve turn disobey God causing the fall. Being punished with the pains of childvearing, working against the elements, expulsion from Eden and mortality.
The main part of the solution to remove the blame from God is the idea that the sin of Adam was passed down to humanity being ‘seminally present’ within and “all evil is either sin or punishment for sin” and as everyone was born from the “loins of Adam” humanity deserves to be punished and therefore suffering is justified.

Question 42

Why does Augustine believe God is still omnibenevolent despite suffering existing

Answer 42

Augustine reinforces that God is still omnibenevolent despite evil and suffering existing in the world believing that if God was just everyone would receive their deserved punishment in hell, but showing his love for humanity, he sent Jesus, is son, to die for the faithful to save them from the inevitable punishment, to bring us “eternal life through Jesus Christ”.

Question 43

Evaluation points for Augustine’s solution of the Poe for a God

Answer 43

Schleiermacher…logical contradiction
If created perfectly there would be no knowledge of evil
Contradicted by evolution states world improving no getting worse
Not biologically accurate not seminally present

Question 44

Full evaluation for Augustine’s theodicy

Answer 44

Schleiermacher criticised Augustine’s solutions to the Poe as A argued that God is not responsible for the existence of evil but the responsibility lies with humanity. S argued that it was a logical contradiction to suggest that a world created perfectly could go wrong as, if God, an omnipotent being created the world, he would have created it as he wanted being ‘very good’, with no evil and angles and humans would have no evil tendencies or use their free wil to disobey God. Therefore contradicting that God has no responsibility of the existence of evil as he would not create the world with evil in to begin with as a “flawless creation would not go wrong and that if the creation does in fact go wrong, the ultimate responsibility must be its creator”. Proving God to have a responsibility for evil.

Another criticism of Augustine’s theodicy was the fact that the world was created perfectly, then there would be no knowledge of good and evil and therefore how would people have the knowledge to disobey God if evil didn’t already exist. Demonstrating that during the fall of mankind Adam and Eve must have known evil, meaning that evil must have already existed. And God through his omnibenevolence gave humanity free will to chose right and wrong which “involved the risk that persons misuse their freedom and reject the good” therefore God cannot punish humanity for sins, therefore contradicting Augustine’s view that humanity put suffering and evil upon themselves and God is responsible for evil and therefore suffering.

A scientific view of evolution, discover by Darwin acts as an obstacle success of Augustine’s theory. The theory of evolution states how the universe began chaotic consisting of simple life forms with very limited moral awareness and proven that the universe, through billions of years developed and not diminished, with Augustine stating that the universe was made perfectly good, yet to gradually get worse and more immoral. This view of Augustine therefore cannot be proven correct as scientific evidence contradicts, this hence making it a problematic solution of evil and suffering and is not a solid theory to suggest that god is not responsible for evil and suffering

Question 45

What does the Irenaean theodicy suggest to prove the existence of God? Points

Answer 45

Free will

Gods omnibenevolent as free will allows humanity to love him out of choice

Question 46

What does Irenaeas say about free will?

Answer 46

The I theodicy is based on the premise that humans hav free will given to them by God. I in his work Heresies develop that the world is the way it is, with evil and suffering present in order to provide humanity with the opportunity to develop qualities allowing them to become the perfect children of God. I believed that humanity was created in the ‘image of God’, intelligent and mature. This is because humans had to face hardship and suffering to have the opportunity to become perfect; this development being planned by God. By implementing free will into humanity, it enabled them to actively cooperate to choose good over evil. I described that the bible showed people having free will and using it to disobey, but this was permitted by God as it enabled “people to grow and develop”. This showing that an omnibenevolent god, allowing people to grow and develop to the likeness of God enabling them to be morally good and spiritually developed.

I claimed that if “we have no knowledge is the contrary, could we have instruction in that which is good” reinforcing gods benevolence using evil and suffering to mean that people know good to develop the characteristics needed for perfection as “suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, character and hope”

Question 47

How did hick develop Irenaeas theodicy?

Answer 47

Hick further developed i’s theodicy highlighting that through gods benevolence he gave humanity free will to chose their actions, whether good of evil, suggesting that if humanity has been made perfectly, everyone would be robots of God, loving him automatically. The free will that God gives humanity, hick reinforces allows them to freely love God, which has a lot more value than being forced to love him. And therefore this free will comes with the risk of being used badly, and therefore humanity cannot be blamed for evil.
Hick also suggested that the world is the way it is for the purpose of ‘soul making’ and the world had to be imperfect otherwise humans would not be free. The existence of evil, hick defined is the ‘purpose of soul making’ by experiencing hardship and pain devlops an immature soul by expressing compassion and empathy in order to become ‘children of God’ and ‘heirs of eternal life’ in heaven.

Question 48

Name the weakness points for Irenaeus is theodicy

Answer 48

On realistic as suffering more likely to lead to resentment

People can improve that qualities with out suffering

Question 49

What did swinburne say to support Irenaeus is theodicy?

Answer 49

He further supported the Irenaeus in theodicy arguing that God had a choice whether to have evil in the world and this was the best possible plan for humanity. Free will in the world meant humanity could make free and meaningful responses. S reinforces that God could have made the cure for cancer through prayer but this takes away the opportunity for humans to develop a cure, and this responsibility is far greater for humans than being in a toy world. Therefore by God allowing humanity to act freely, it allows the opportunity to grow in freedom and knowledge, and allowing people to individually help themselves and others is a greater reward that outweighs the pain of suffering demonstrating the existence of a loving God who cares for humanity

Question 50

Who developed the process theodicy?

Answer 50

A.N. Whitehead

Question 51

What is the process theodicy?

Answer 51

A solution to the problem of evil which contradicts a God of classical theism suggesting that he is not omnipotent

Question 52

What does the process theodicy state about God?

Answer 52

Whitehead suggested that God is not omnipotent and he did not create the universe but he is part of the universe and bound by natural laws.

Question 53

What does the process theodicy state about everything occurring in the world?

Answer 53

The process the order say devices that everything occurring in the world is momentary and causes new happenings in the recurring an infinite process when these produce harmony, there is good, however if there is disruption there is evil. And therefore evil is inevitable as it is part of a natural process

Question 54

😄 Who is further developed the process theodicy?

Answer 54

David griffin A 20th century American philosopher

Question 55

What was David Griffin’s input in the process theodicy?

Answer 55

Griffin, suggests that God is dipolar, as he has to opposite poles, one mental and the other physical. The physical pole being the material world. Griffin believed also that God started the evolutionary process, but believed that “God cannot completely control the creatures “ and they are free to disobey him. God alongside humans suffer when evil occurs being part of the universe, and according to Whitehead God is a “fellow sufferer who understands”

Question 56

How is the process theodicy different to the irenaean theodicy/what is the conclusion of the process theodicy

Answer 56

This theodicy unlike Irenaean’s does believe that “God is responsible for evil in the sense of having the creation forward to those states in which discordant feelings could be felt with greater intensity “. He observed that it is gods will of the world to bring harmony and evil in the world “but the successive creations are free not to conform to the divine plan “and this is out of his control; however his actions are justified despite the presence of evil in the world as gods “risk taking venture in the evolution of the universe… Has produced, a sufficient Quality and quantity of good to outweigh all evil. For example the adaptation of species to aid survival

Question 57

The full evaluation for the irenaean theodicy

Answer 57

Many philosophers have criticised I theodicy as suffering does not result in genuine human development, as much as suffering lead to resentment and distrust rather than compassion. I and justifiably concluded that suffering does have a positive outcome on the development of human qualities but this is clearly unrealistic. For example after/during the Holocaust many Jews abandon their faith in God rather than using their suffering to enhance their qualities to mature their soul and lead to an internal of life paradise. This suggesting his theodicy to be too unrealistic and inconclusive to solve the problem of evil and suffering as many will not view suffering as a way o get to heaven

This idea similarly being contradicted by the idea that people can improve the quality is without needing to experience suffering, demonstrating that suffering is unnecessary as people are able to develop without suffering. Hence proving the Internet if Renée and theodicy not able to justify the extent of extreme suffering. However he suggests that the pain of suffering is justifiable and worthwhile as “the endless enjoyment of that fullness of life and joy quotation that humanity will receive is “beyond a present imaginations “showing the “eventual fulfilment of gods love” when humans get to heaven. This demonstrating that the I theodicy is a successful one in justifying the presence of evil and suffering and there being a God of classical theism. However before the development of Hicks theory I theodicy would be concluded a weak one to solve the problem of evil and promote a God of classical theism as it does not explain why some people can just scan suffered considerably more than others
Another weakness of the I theodicy is the fact that due to this being an eschatological justification this requires a belief of life after death, whereby by experiencing suffering it enables humans to grow into morally stronger and spiritually better people which aids their likelihood of reaching heaven and living in eternal life of paradise, however this for some is a very unrealistic and unreasonable suggestion as this existence of an eternal afterlife is subjective and cannot be proven o exist and therefor the presence of suffering is inconclusive as the premises of experience suffering to get to heaven is not valid hence weakening the theory to support a god if classical theism despite the existence of eve and suffering

Question 58

Did Irenaeas believe that suffering only led to the enhancement of human qualities?

Answer 58

Despite suffering allowing the enhancement of human qualities to become more morally good and go to heaven, Irenaeas believed that suffering can also lead to resentment and negativity, however to many suffering is justified as it will lead to an afterlife of ultimate perfection

Question 59

What are the weakness point for Irenaeas’s theodicy?

Answer 59

Unrealistic as suffering more likely to produce resentment