theme 2 - problem of evil Flashcards
What is moral evil?
Moral evil is understood as any suffering that is brought about by the actions of a free-will agent
What ability do free-will agents have?
Free-will agents have the ability to choose ‘good’ or ‘evil’
What philosophical issue does moral evil raise?
One of the main philosophical issues raised by moral evil is whether God could have chosen to create a world without evil
Could God have made us differently regarding moral evil?
Yes, the question arises whether God could have made us differently to avoid moral evil
List some examples of moral evil.
- Murder
- Theft
- Violence
- Rape
- Slavery
- Child abuse
- Animal cruelty
- Terrorism
- Adultery
- Dishonesty
- Any form of negative discrimination
- Genocide
What is natural evil?
Natural evil is understood as any suffering that is brought about as a consequence of the events outside the control of free-will agents.
What are some examples of natural evil?
- Earthquakes
- Tsunamis
- Flooding
- Drought
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
- Extremes in temperature (hot and cold)
- Disease
- Aging
- Crop failure
- Forest fires
- Pollution
- Global warming
Can free-will agents cause suffering related to natural evil?
Yes, occasionally free-will agents can set in motion a series of events that result in suffering that was not intended
Is it debatable whether unintended suffering caused by free-will agents constitutes moral evil?
Yes, it is debatable whether this suffering constitutes moral evil or not
Fill in the blank: Natural evil is suffering that results from events outside the control of _______
[free-will agents]
What is the God of classical theism characterized by?
A being that holds particular characteristics
The characteristics include attributes like omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence
What philosophical problems do suffering and evil present?
They present particular problems for each of the characteristics of the God of classical theism
If God was all loving, what would he want to do?
He would want to end suffering
If God was all powerful, what would he be able to do?
He would be able to end suffering
If God was all knowing, what would he know how to do?
He would know how to end suffering
If God is all knowing, what does he know about future events?
He would know how future events would turn out
What is God ultimately responsible for due to creating ex-nihilo?
He is ultimately responsible for all that is
Who is the philosopher associated with the quote about God and evil?
Epicurus
What is the first question posed by Epicurus regarding God’s ability to prevent evil?
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent
What conclusion does Epicurus reach if God is able to prevent evil but not willing?
Then he is malevolent
What dilemma does Epicurus present if God is both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
What is the implication if God is neither able nor willing according to Epicurus?
Then why call him God?
which philosopher came up with the inconsistent triad?
- mackie
what is the inconsistent triad?
- triangle, each corner saying omnipotence, omnibenevolence, evil exists
- if we remove one of the points, the problem is solved
what does hume say about evil existing
- we cannot remove evil exists because there is too much evidence of evil and suffering
- if we remove one of the attributes then it is no longer the god of classical theism
- such god is not worthy of worship
What is the scenario described in the thought experiment?
A toddler playing in the kitchen while a parent uses the oven
What action does the parent take when the toddler touches the hot oven?
The parent smacks the toddler’s hand
What consequence does the toddler face in the thought experiment?
The toddler suffers as a result of touching the hot oven
Why did the toddler touch the hot oven?
The toddler was unaware of the danger
What does the toddler lack that leads to his action?
The toddler lacks the parent’s perspective
What analogy is made regarding creation in the thought experiment?
Creation does not share God’s perspective
Who widely rejected the analogy of the toddler and the parent?
Hume
What reason does Hume give for rejecting the analogy?
The effects of evil are felt too widely and vividly
What is Rowe’s argument regarding God and suffering?
Rowe argued that while it seemed reasonable for God to allow some limited suffering to enable human growth, he could not accept God allowing intense suffering
How does Rowe view animal suffering?
Rowe believes that animal suffering seems pointless
What distinguishes Rowe’s approach from Epicurus and Mackie?
Rowe’s approach is based on evidence, unlike Epicurus and Mackie, who were only concerned with the logical problem of evil
What is Rowe’s version of the problem of evil called?
‘The Evidential Problem of Evil’
What example does Rowe use to illustrate his point?
Rowe uses the example of a fawn caught in a forest fire
What characteristics does Rowe attribute to God in his argument?
An omnipotent and omniscient being would know when intense suffering was about to take place, and an all-loving being would prevent pointless suffering
What conclusion does Rowe reach regarding God’s existence?
Rowe concludes that God probably does not exist due to the existence of pointless evil and suffering
What does Gregory Paul argue about premature death?
Gregory Paul argues that the death of many innocent children challenges the existence of God
How many children does Gregory Paul estimate have died before reaching maturity?
Over 50 billion children since the time God first spoke to man as recorded in sacred texts
What term does Gregory Paul use to describe the death of many children?
‘The holocaust of the children’
what does gregory paul conclude about suffering
- Millions of innocent children suffer and die every year, from both natural and evil causes.
- These children are too young to be able to make choices about God, they have no free will.
- No omnibenevolent, omnipotent being would permit such suffering.
- Therefore, God does not exist.
