The Problem of Evil Flashcards
What is Evil?
Evil is the suffering of sentient beings. Types of evil include moral evil (human-inflicted suffering), natural evil (suffering from natural phenomena), and animal suffering.
What is the Logical Problem of Evil?
- If God exists, he is omnipotent, omniscient, and morally perfect.
- Therefore, God could and would eliminate all evil.
- But evil exists.
- Therefore, God does not exist.
What is the Evidential Problem of Evil?
The existence of gratuitous evil (suffering without a higher good) makes the existence of God improbable.
What are Theodicies?
Attempts to reconcile the existence of evil with the existence of God.
What do Theodicies provide?
Reasons why God cannot or does not eliminate all evil.
Fill in the blank: Some evils are necessary for _______.
[greater goods]
What is the Free Will Theodicy?
God gave humans free will, allowing them to choose evil.
What is the Soul-Making Theodicy?
Suffering is part of God’s plan to develop human character.
What is the Afterlife Theodicy?
Suffering will be compensated for in heaven.
What are criticisms of Theodicies?
- Theodicies often fail to explain gratuitous evils.
- They raise questions about God’s power, knowledge, and goodness.
What is the Problem of Hell?
The existence of hell raises questions about God’s love and justice.
What do Theodicies struggle to justify?
Eternal torment for finite crimes.
What does the Book of Job highlight regarding the Problem of Evil?
The limitations of human understanding.
True or False: It may be impossible to fully reconcile the existence of evil with God’s existence.
True
