The problem of evil? Flashcards
Types of evil?
There are two types of evil and suffering.
Moral evil - caused by humans
Natural evil - natural events beyond human control
About Epicurus?
Greek philophser Epicurus argued that if an all-powerful and all-loving God exists, He should be able and willing to eliminate evil and suffering. Since suffering does exist, it suggests that God is either not omnipotent or not omnibenevolent.
Epicurus Quote?
“Either God wants to abolish evil and cannot; or he can but does not want to. If he wants to but cannot, he is impotent ( no power). If he can but does not want to, he is wicked.”
Mackie and the inconsistent triad?
Mackie expanded on Epicurus’s problem using a triangle to illustrate the incompatibility of evil with the concepts of an all-powerful and all-loving God. He posed the paradox of omnipotence: can an omnipotent being create things it cannot control, or can it make rules that bind itself? This reinterpretation offers a potential resolution to the inconsistency, but it challenges the beliefs of religious adherents regarding God’s nature.
William Rowe?
His argument centers on the existence of intense suffering that God could alleviate without affecting the greater good, yet does not. This unnecessary suffering challenges the notions of God’s benevolence and power, particularly in cases like the suffering of children, where free will is irrelevant. Gregory S. Paul uses statistics to illustrate the widespread nature of human suffering caused by natural evil, citing that approximately 350 billion early deaths, especially among infants, raise questions about God’s reasons for allowing such pain. He argues that these infants are denied free will and seem to serve as instruments for a divine purpose that remains unknowable, despite God’s capacity to choose a different approach.
Mackie Quote?
“The paradox of omnipotence has shown that God’s omnipotence must in any case be restricted in one way or another.”
Rowe?
“Intense human or animal suffering is in itself bad and evil, even though it may sometimes be justified by virtue of being a part of or leading to some good that is unattainable without it.”
Paul?
“ it is said that God is in the details and that the nature of creation reveals the nature of the creator. This is a valid point; the implications are not necessarily what Christians wish them to be
Augustian-type theodicies ( defence)?
Theodicy defends God’s traditional characteristics in light of evil and suffering. The Augustinian theodicy offers various perspectives, asserting that God’s creation was perfect and that evil, which arises from human sin, is not a substance but a lack of good (privatio boni). Humans, endowed with free will, chose to sin, leading to death and their expulsion from Eden, with all inheriting original sin. This explains natural evil as a consequence of the Fall. Salvation through Christ is viewed as the ultimate remedy, transforming evil into a meaningful opportunity for redemption (felix culpa). Augustinian theodicy is often called soul-deciding, emphasizing free will’s role in seeking God and perfection. Challenges arise regarding the compatibility of free will with an omnipotent deity.
Challenges?
The Augustinian theodicy has several strengths: it argues that moral evil, resulting from human free will, is greater than natural evil, which stems from the punishment for original sin. Augustine effectively addresses both types of evil while preserving God’s essential character and aligning with biblical teachings.
Interpretations of genesis?
Augustine treats Genesis as revealed truth, assuming its events occurred exactly as described. However, if Genesis is seen as analogical or symbolic, the arguments regarding the Fall and original sin’s responsibility for evil and suffering become less persuasive.
Scientific error?
Augustine’s claims about humanity’s descent from Adam are rejected by modern science. It is biologically implausible for all humans to be seminally present in a single pair or to inherit sin genetically or through sexual acts. This undermines the concept of original sin, challenging the justification for natural evil and reviving Mackie’s inconsistent triad issues.
Moral contradictions?
Augustine allows for behaviors from God that would be considered immoral in humans, such as predestining some for damnation while saving others. If God foresaw the Fall, allowing humanity to descend into evil without intervention raises moral concerns, especially as innocent people often suffer. Additionally, the condemnation of unbaptized infants for original sin challenges the idea of justice. These inconsistencies suggest that the Augustinian theodicy is built on weak foundations.
Perfect order becoming chaos
The theodicy contains scientific and logical flaws, as evolutionary theory and geological evidence suggest that the world began chaotically, not perfectly. Theologian F.D.E. Schleiermacher argued that a perfect creation should be unchanging and incapable of deterioration. For Adam to have disobeyed God, the possibility of evil must exist, implying that God is responsible. This suggests that Adam and Eve were not created perfect, placing the blame on God as their creator.
Irenaean type theodicy?
Irenaean theodicy, developed by Saint Irenaeus, asserts that God creates evil and suffering for a legitimate purpose. Rather than absolving God of responsibility, Irenaeus argues that God is justified in allowing evil to exist, emphasizing the meaningful role it plays in human development.
