The problem of evil

Question 1

The problem of evil is both what?

Answer 1

it is both a logical problem and evidential problem- attempts to defend God despite the existence of evil and suffering in the world are called theodicies.

Question 2

The problem of evil as a logical problem?

Answer 2

This inconsistent argument says that these three beliefs cannot be held at the same time without contradiction;
that evil exists- that God is all loving- God is all powerful

Question 3

What does the logical problem of evil assume?

Answer 3

The logical problem of evil assumes that an all- loving God and all power-full God would not want any evil and suffering in the world.
- Concludes that if there is evil and suffering in the world a God with these attributes cannot exist.

Question 4

What is the logical problem of evil argument?

Answer 4

• An A priori argument- if the premises are true then the conclusion follows.

Question 5

What is a solution to the logical problem of evil?

Answer 5

• Might suggest that God is not totally powerful, that God is not totally loving, or that evil is an illusion or is actually Good for us in spite of appearing bad.

Question 6

What is natural evil?

Answer 6

natural evil is said to be that which makes causes suffering but does not come from any human wrongdoing, for example many diseases and extreme weather conditions such as floods and hurricanes.

Question 7

What is moral evil?

Answer 7

moral evil is said to be that which causes suffering as a result of human wrongdoing, for example murder, war and poverty.

Question 8

What is the evidential problem of evil?

Answer 8

Involves a posteriori reasoning.
- Argument says that there is too much evil and suffering in the world for the belief ‘ there Is an all-good, all powerful God’ to be the best explanation of evidence.

Question 9

What might a better explanation of evil be instead of the evidential problem?

Answer 9

Good and evil simply happen by chance, without the agency of God.

Question 10

What did John Stuart Mill argue about the evidential problem of evil?

Answer 10

The extent of evil and suffering in the world does not suggest a good God, but instead suggests that there is a creator behind the world. it must be a malevolent creator.

Question 11

The theodicy of Irenaeus, who is Irenaues?

Answer 11

Very early Christian

Question 12

Irenaeus accepted what?

Answer 12

He accepted that evil and suffering exist and that God appears to let them continue

Question 13

Irenaeus argued that God allows what?

Answer 13

God allows evil and suffering so that people can develop into freely chosen mature relationships with God.- said there has to be evil and suffering in the world for us to appreciate good.

Question 14

Irenaeus said there has to be what?

Answer 14

There has to be fewer good things in the world in order for virtues such as kindness, bravery and generosity to exist at all.

Question 15

Irenaeus says that we are made in what ?

Answer 15

In Gods image but we have to grow into Gods likeness.

Free will is an important part of being made in Gods image.

Question 16

Irenaeus said we could not have what?

Answer 16

We could not have a free relationship With God unless we gave genuine options to choose otherwise.Evil has to be a real option for us.
We cannot grow totally into the likeness of God in this world, and there is a life after death in which we can complete our spiritual development.

Question 17

John Hicks soul- making theodicy( twentieth and twenty- first centuries) what approach did hick take to the problem of evil ?

Answer 17

He took an irenaean approach to the problem of evil.

Question 18

What did Hick describe the world as?

Answer 18

The world as ‘vale of soul-making’, using words from the poet John Keats

Question 19

Hick explores his theodicy where ?

Answer 19

In his book Evil and the Love of God 1966

Question 20

Hick saw the world as what?

Answer 20

Saw the world as a place where our characters and souls are shaped.

Question 21

Hick said that evil and suffering are not what?

Answer 21

Not an unfortunate accident but a part of Gods loving plan to help us grow into a free relationship with him.

Question 22

Hick said God deliberately does what?

Answer 22

Deliberately keeps himself partly hidden from us so that there is ‘epistemic distance’ - we can make free choices if God does not force himself on us in a immediate way. - through tackling challenges and hardships we can learn to turn to God through free choice.

Question 23

Hick thought that after death, we continue with that?

Answer 23

We continue with our spiritual journeys towards a free choice for God, and this option is open to people of any belief.

Question 24

For both Irenaeus and hick, what?

Answer 24

Humans can make a free choice to turn from evil towards good, and therefore grow into a free relationship with God.

Question 25

Criticisms of Irenaean theodicies including Hick- the idea that evil exists in the world for our own good can seem what?

Answer 25

Self- contradictory- if evil( including moral evil ) is really good for us then there is confusion between good and evil, making concepts such as sin and salvation difficult to comprehend.

Question 26

The idea that God put evil in the world in order to help us develop and grow can become unacceptable, how ?

Answer 26

When the suffering is great, for example when there is childhood cancer or an act of terrorism or genocide.

Question 27

Criticism- irenaean theodicy:- the idea that Gods love is difficult for us to comprehend can present what problems?

Answer 27

If we are trying to be more Godlike and do not understand what that means.

Question 28

The argument that God has to allow evil in order for us to have free will suggests what?

Answer 28

Limitations in Gods omnipotence

Question 29

Tackling challenges and hardships makes some people lose what ?

Answer 29

Lose faith rather than gain it. An omniscient God should know this in advance of making such people suffer.

Question 30

The Irenaean theocracy does not give an adequate explanation if what?

Answer 30

Of why animals, very small babies of people with learning difficulties suffer.

Question 31

How we these Irenaean theodices could be comforting to who?

Answer 31

Those who Suffer because they suggest that there is a plan and it will turn out well in the end.- we can relate to the idea that facing challenges helps us to develop.