the problem of evil Flashcards
The problem evil can be what two problems?
The problem of evil is both a logical and evidential problem.
explain the problem of evil as a logical problem
The problem of evil as a logical problem consists of the inconsistent triad argument. These three beliefs cannot all be held at the same time without contradiction. That evil exists, that God is all-powerful and that God is all-loving.
what did Epicurus conclude?
He concluded that God is either not all-powerful or not all-loving or just doesn’t exist.
what questions are raised in the inconsistent triad?
1) if God is able to prevent evil but doesn’t want to, is he truly omni-benevolent?
2) if God wants to stop evil but can’t, is he truly omni-potent?
3) if there is evil and suffering in the world, an all-loving and all-powerful God can’t be a real being
what type of reasoning is the logical problem of evil?
A priori - using logic & reason to knowledge.
what type of reasoning is the evidential problem of evil?
A posteriori - gaining knowledge through our sense experiences.
explain the evidential problem of evil
The argument states that there is too much evil and suffering in the world for there to be a God. The extent and nature of evil we observe in the world makes it unlikely that such a God exists.
where did Hume’s state his belief about the existence of God in this world?
In ‘dialogues concerning natural religion’
What did David Humes say?
He said that God is not all-powerful or God is not all-loving because evil does exist.
what did David Humes conclude?
He concluded that there is too much evidence that evil does exists, so either God is impotent or malicious. This is not of the christian God so he must not exist.
what did Humes belief lead John Stuart Mill to say?
Humes argument led J S Mill to say that “The God of classical theism does not exist.” He argued that the extent of evil and suffering in the world does not suggest a good God, but a malevolent creator.
3 people that say that there is ‘no problem’
1) Buddhists say that suffering is part of existing. They don’t believe in a God but say that evil and suffering is just apart of life and part of our journey.
2) Bertrand Russell, an athiest, says that we should stop blaming God and how evil and suffering is just apart of nature.
3) Aristotle’s prime mover concept states that the prime mover has no understanding or recognition of our existence
what is Augustine’s theodicy
Augustine believed that humans were created perfect and that they were given free will, however humans and angels used that free-will to turn away from God and choosing sin.
Who was Augustine’s theodicy influenced by and what did they believe?
The Manichees believed that the world was divided between forces of good and forces of evil.
who originally disobeyed God and what did this cause?
Angels originally disobeyed God by misusing their free-will causing natural evil.
How did Adam and Eve cause evil to enter into the world?
Adam and Eve misused their free will by eating from the apple of knowledge of good and evil.
What did Adam and eve do to the perfect world God created and what did it result in?
They corrupted and destroyed God’s natural perfect order creating disharmony and resulting in natural evil.
According to Augustine, how is God not responsible for evil?
In the Genesis creation stories, God stated that he created everything in creation perfectly.
what document did Augustine talk about God not being responsible for evil?
The enchiridion
What did Augustine state evil is?
Augustine stated that evil is the privation of good. Evil is the absence of goodness.
What does evil being an absence of goodness mean for those blaming God for evil being in the world, according to Augustine?
According to Augustine, God can’t be blamed for evil since evil is not a substance (not a ‘thing’) , but an absence of good.
According to Augustine, why did God give us freewill?
God gave us freewill so that we can freely choose him instead of being obedient followers.
what are the three criticisms of Augustine’s theodicy?
1) the scientific view
- scientists believe that the evolution theory undermines the Genesis creation stories.
- also the belief that we are seminally present in Adam & Eve but biologically we do not all share the same DNA.
2) moral
- how could a good God let us suffer for what Adam and Eve did?
3) some question God’s omniscience and wisdom because how did he not know that we would misuse our free-will.
one more person that criticisised Augustine’s theodicy
Schleiermacher said that a perfectly created world shouldn’t have gone wrong. The world must have not been perfect to begin with if it was brought down by an apple.
How was moral evil brought into this world?
It was brought into the world through the misuse of freewill, made by angels who chose to disobey him.
how was natural evil brought into the world?
Natural evil is a result of moral evil and only exists because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
How is God not responsible for evil?
Evil is an absence of goodness so God did not create evil.
According to Bonhoeffer, how did God allow evil to be in the world?
He argued that God allows evil to exist because humans have the free will to choose between good and evil. This freedom is important for a genuine relationship with God.
How did Bonhoeffer say christians should confront evil?
Bonhoeffer said that christians must confront evil by doing something, instead of passively (just accepting something) accepting it.
why did Bonhoeffer say suffering is important?
Bonhoeffer believed that suffering could have a purpose in deepening one’s relationship with God.
what did Bonhoeffer that God is?
He said that God is the key answer to the problem of evil, he offers redemption and salvation for everyone if they are willing to accept.
