the problem of evil Flashcards
what is the problem of evil?
it is an argument against the existence of god on the premises that the existence of evil and suffering is incompatible with god who is all loving and all powerful
what is the epicurean paradox?
“Is god willing, 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 cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? then why call him god?”
what is the inconstant triad?
three statements which are contradictory to god:
- god is all loving
- god is al powerful
- evil exists
what is J.L. Mackies reasoning for the triad?
if god is not willing to get rid go evil the he is not all loving, if he is not able to get rid of evil he is not all powerful and since evil exists it must be the case that god doesn’t exist
what is the logical problem of evil?
a deductive argument that gods existence is logically incompatible with evil e.g Epicurus and mackie
what is the evidential problem of evil?
the evidential problem is inductive and argues that the existence of evil makes gods existence unlikely or improbable,
what is the argument as evil as a privation of good?
that evil doesn’t actually exists but is rather an absence of good just as darkness is the absence of light
what are the arguments for why god wouldn’t remove suffering?
- god has a good reason but humans cannot understand
* some argue that god cannot remove suffering as it is like having a world with up and not down
what is moral evil?
suffering caused by humans such as murder and theft
what is natural evil?
suffering that is cause by nature such as natural disasters
what does William Rowe believe of suffering?
it seems reasonable to allow limited human suffering to to allow growth but is NOT acceptable for unnecessary suffering or intense suffering as it seems pointless
what is Rowes argument?
- an omnipotent being would know when intense suffering was going to take place and would be able to prevent it
- an all loving being would want to prevent all evil and suffering that had no purpose
- such evil and suffering does exist
- therefore, probably god doesn’t exist
what evidence does Paul use to challenge gods existence?
the death of innocent children “the holocaust of the children”
he estimates that since god first spoke to man over 50 billion children have died naturally before reaching age of mature consent. and as these children haven’t had the time to prepare for heaven and so would be incapable of entering
what does Paul argue?
- millions of innocent children suffer and die every year from both natural and evil causes
- these children were too young to be able to make choices about god
- no all loving, omnipotent being would allow this
- therefore, god does not exist
