Theodicies and Solutions to Evil and Suffering

Question 1

What are the types of problem of evil?

Answer 1

Logical problem of evil - Mackie, God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent, but there is still evil.
Evidential problem of evil - Even if suffering is here for human improvement by God’s design, why is there so much?

Question 2

What is the logical problem of evil?

Answer 2

The traditional attributes of God suggest He is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and omnibenevolent (all good). This means he would not want evil, knows there is evil and how to stop it, and has the power to stop evil, but it exists.
Either we are wrong about the attributes of God or we are wrong about the existence of Evil.

Question 3

Explanations for the logical problem of evil.

Answer 3

• If you were God you would understand, but you’re not, so you don’t.
• It is wrong to question God
• the existence of evil is spiritual

Question 4

Criticisms of the logical problem of evil.

Answer 4

• John Hick says if we have to call God good, we have to find a solution to the problem of evil, because we need a reason to call Him good.
• Even if we find a solution that works, we get the evidential problem of evil.