The problem of evil Flashcards
Mackie’s inconsistent triad
The idea that an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God is not compatible with evil and suffering.
Epicurus’ logical problem of evil
If God knows about our suffering, cares about it and can do something about it, then there shouldn’t be any suffering.
Quote for Epicurus
‘Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent’
Why might someone claim that Mackie’s inconsistent triad disproves God’s existence completely?
It suggests that his qualities would be self-contradictory - if his attributes are mutually exclusive then he cannot exist.
What are Mill’s examples of evil and suffering?
Animals suffer
Humans suffer
Nature makes people suffer
What does Mill believe about the evidential problem of evil?
He disagrees with the teleological argument and claims that God cannot represent infinite goodness as we observe evil in the world.
Why is W.Rowe against God?
He says why would an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God allow pointless animal suffering eg. a fawn dying in a forest fire.
What does Alston say about the problem of evil?
We cannot understand God as human perspective is so limited - we perceive only part of the full picture.
Why is Plantinga for God?
He says that God chooses to limit himself to allow for us to have free will.
Why is Dostoyevsky against God?
He says that a God who allows the extent of innocent suffering is not worth worshipping.
He creates a character who ‘returns his ticket to heaven’.
Logical problem of evil
A deductive argument which aims to show that the existence of evil is logically inconsistent with the existence of the God’s attributes of omnibenevolence, omnipotence and omniscience.
Evidential problem of evil
The belief that evidence of suffering and evil in the world proves that God cannot be loving.
What is Hume’s argument on the evidential problem of evil?
Hume claims that all we have evidence for is imperfectness in the world - it therefore cannot be justified to believe in a perfect God.
Why does Augustine believe that evil exists?
Because Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Evil, this meant that bad actions and wrong choices became a part of humans.
Therefore, evil exists because we created it and thereby deserve it.
What does ‘privation of good’ mean and who said it?
Augustine believes that evil is simply an absence of good.
What part of Manichaeism influenced Augustine’s theodicy?
The idea that God did not create evil and therefore is not responsible for it.
How does Augustine explain moral evil?
Augustine argues that we are ‘seminally present in the loins of Adam’ meaning God cannot be blamed.
Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and therefore meant bad actions and wrong choices became part of humans.
How does Augustine explain natural evil?
The fall of the angels caused imbalance in nature, leading to natural disasters.
God allows this as it is punishment for original sin.
How does Augustine claim that God is still loving?
Jesus’ death paid the price of human failure.
Why is Augustine’s theodicy called the ‘soul-deciding theodicy’?
Those who decide to believe this will go to heaven whereas those who reject will go to hell.
What is Irenaeus’ ‘soul-making’ theodicy?
Irenaeus believed that evil and suffering is necessary for spiritual growth and development - free choices allow a mature relationship with God to be built.
What quote from Irenaeus shows how growth and development is necessary?
‘but man could not receive this [perfection], being as yet an infant’
Irenaeus likens humans to infants who require growth.
What does ‘vale of soul-making’ mean in regard to Hick’s own theodicy?
He describes this as things happening to us for our own good.
How did Hick develop Irenaeus’ theodicy?
By understanding that a modern world is more likely to accept Darwinism than the story of Adam and Eve.
What does Hick mean when he talks about ‘epistemic distance’?
This means a distance in knowledge - he believes that God deliberately chooses not to reveal himself so humans can make genuinely free decisions.
What quote does Hick use to back his argument?
‘the harshness of life, gives us a robust texture and character that wouldn’t be possible without an imperfect world’ (Hick)
Strengths of Augustine
It never suggests that God tolerates evil - it thereby removes God from any blame.
It allows the suggestion that evil may just be an absence of good.
Weaknesses of Augustine
It relies entirely on the genesis story being true.
Evil seems to be more than an absence of good eg. child abuse.
It may suggest that God did not think ahead - not omniscient.
It does not explain why there is a lack of perfection in the world.
Strengths of Irenaeus
Irenaeus successfully drew a line between God’s image and his likeness - shows why humans have free will.
It somewhat suggests how evil and suffering can bring together communities.
Weaknesses of Irenaeus
It does not explain why some people suffer more than others - does God select who needs to grow?
It does not explain animal suffering - there is no life after death for animals.
Suffering does not make all people better and stronger.
Why would christ have had to die on the cross to save humans from sin?
Strengths of Hick
It fits well with modern day interpretations of evolution.
His theodicy does not rely on the validity of biblical stories.
Weaknesses of Hick
Why would Christ have died on the cross if there were other ways to reach God?
If humans will inevitably come to God then it cannot be free.
Even if suffering teaches people lessons, why did God have to make the world in this way?
