THE PROBLEM OF EVIL: The Evidential Problem Of Evil Flashcards
Evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality supplies evidence for the problem of evil. What is an example of this?
The Permian Triassic extinction
90% of marine species disappeared through a series of natural disasters
NASA- almost the perfect crime
Evil that is pointless because it serves no useful purpose supplies evidence for the problem of evil. What are 2 examples of this?
Pompeii- 1500 deaths
Rowes fawn- fawn dies in a forest fire. Suffers intensely for days without the benefit of building human virtues as no one ever knows about it
Epicurus quote
Is God willing to prevent evil, but is not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent
How does overwhelming and pointless evil question God?
An omniscient being would know at the point of creation that overwhelming and pointless evils would occur. Why then did God bother to create the universe?
What do Ivan’s examples of the cruelties practised upon innocent children suggest?
The price of building a universe is too great in terms of its potential for overwhelming and pointless suffering
Ivan’s rebellion against God is that he wants no part in the joys of heaven
The Brothers Karamazov quote
I hasten to give back my entrance ticket
How might we respond to the evidential problem of evil?
God has a plan by which all suffering will eventually lead to the perfect harmony of life in heaven
What is wrong with the idea that suffering will lead to harmony?
Is there a place in heaven for all animals who have suffered in 3.5 billion years of evolution?
Is there any atonement for the sufferings of the children revealed by Ivan?
What parent would buy the future harmony of heaven at the price of letting their children be thrown into fire pits (Holocaust)?
How can natural and moral evil combine to cause suffering?
With the physical suffering that natural evil causes comes mental suffering
Most of natural suffering can also be brought about by human agency e.g. weapons can be used to cut
Is all suffering bad?
No. Pain of injection is good (immunisation)
Suffering can both restore and repair people
One can uncover unsuspected reserves of strength
D. Z. Phillips quote from ‘the concept of prayer’
What are we to say of the child dying from cancer? If this has been “done” for a purpose … that is the deepest evil
