the problem of evil (6) Flashcards
logical problem of evil
highlights the inconsistencies about God, a God that is all powerful would be able to prevent suffering and a wholly good God would want to avoid evil. omniscient God would have known bout problems in world and would have avoided them in creation.
inconsistent triad
it has three elements, and illustrates God we are left with:
God can be wholly good but not powerful
God can be all powerful but not whlly good
God is powerful/good enough to stop evil so evil doesnt exist
solutions to problem of evil
Hartshorne and Whitehead - remove omnipotence so God is a fellow sufferer
Dostoyevsky- convinced God is malevolent and not worthy of worship
baker- thought we should remove ‘evil exists’ from triad, she argues evil is an illusion
the logical problem of evil challenges belief
- God cannot be all powerful because he would have created a world that didnt have to suffer
- God cannot be all loving because he would have cared enough to remove it
- inconsistency in God knowing about evil, is wholly good and powerful enough to prevent
the logical problem of evil doesnt challenges belief
- Alston argues that we cant understand God because human perspective is limited, we can only percieve parts
- there are good reasons for allowing evil to continue, pain is neccesary to develop a cure
- good cannot exist without evil
evidental problem of evil
there is so much suffering in the world, natural world causes a lot of suffering. why did God create a world, and people, capable of so much evil?
Rowe
why would God allow ‘seemingly pointless human and animal suffering’, using a fawn dying in a forest fire. he says there may be reasons we can understand, but argues that God seems irrational.
solutions to problem of evil
by allowing evil, God may be preventing something worse or achieving good. Hick says end justifies means, only true empathy comes from struggle.
evidental problem of evil greatest challenge to God
- there is so much suffering, Hume says such observations lead to us questioning God’s goodness. Hume asks why God couldnt allow us to learn through pleasure?
- God could have made humans always choose good
- Dostoneyvsky argues such a bad God isnt worth worshipping
evidental problem of evil not the greatest challenge
- logical problem is worse as highlights inconsistencies about thiest God
- need to use both evidental and logical to challenge a belief in God
-Swinburne says evidental not as bad, as it provides motivation for cures
Augustine’s theodicy origins
Genesis 1- God created the perfect world in his image and likeness
pre-Fall the world was perfect. his theodicy called ‘soul deciding’- those who choose to beleive go to heaven.
goodness for Augustine
intrinsic- every part of creation has its own scale. a dog is good, but there goodness never as good as a persons. a person would choose between good and evil
privation
Augustine’s lack of goodness. evil occurs when something doesnt live up to expected goodness- like blindness is a lack of sight. God cannot be blamed because he cannot create a privation.
moral evil
the Fall corrupted human nature so bad choices became a part of being human. Augustine says that because of this sin, we deserve to be punished. God is not responsible for moral evil so its fair for everyone to go to hell
natural evil
Fall of angels (including Lucifer) caused disharmony which led to disaster. God is just for allowing this as a consequence of the Fall.
Augustine defends God
- God couldnt create a privation
- free will is important to theodicy. genuine free will means that we have the choice to be evil
Augustine cant defend God
- If God created the perfect world how could anyone rebel and where did evil come from
- it is impossible for everyone to be seminally related
- emphasis on angels for natural is unscientific,
McCabe
when we talk about something being bad it is not living up to its expectations. 22
Hick
claims evil and suffering has a purpose. employs Iraenus’ thinking and starts with Genesis 1:26. he uses the translation ‘let us make man in our image, after our likeness’. humans created with possibility fo growth.
Hick and moral evil
free will is invaluable, without it we are forced to love God. virtues liek courage cant be ready made, they have to come through suffering. it is valuable to choose the good decision.
epistemic distance
God must maintain a distance as to preserve human free will
therapist
Hick uses example of therapist who hypnotises a patient, telling them to fall in love. this isnt genuine love as it is not freely chosen.
natural evil hick
earth is the vale of soul making and evil is good as it allows people to develop into image of God. pain is needed to decide what is valued and we can learn what is right.
parents
Hick says parents aim to develop their child’s character, not by deciding for them but encouraging perserverence.
