RS a level PHILOSOPHY - the problem of evil

content and evaluation

what are the three aspects of the inconsistent triad?

God is omnibenevolent, God is omnipotent, evil exists

what kind of problem is the inconsistent triad? why?

a logical, a priori challenge: the nature of God is logically inconsistent with the existence of evil

what is natural evil? give an example

what the world does to us, regarding the laws of nature e.g. 2025 Myanmar earthquake, which claimed over 3,300 lives

what is moral evil?

the immoral acts that humans commit

what is the evidential problem of evil?

a posteriori challenge: there is so much evil in the world that there cannot be a good god

what did JS Mill argue, regarding the nature of God?

there is so much evil and suffering in the world that if there is a creator, they must be malevolent

what is a theodicy

a justification of God

what are the three main points of the Augustinian Theodicy, in order

evil helps people appreciate good, evil is not a thing in itself but a privation of good, God allows suffering because greater good will come from suffering

quote from Genesis about the goodness of the world, state the verse

“God saw that he had made it and it was very good” Genesis 1:31

who proposed the doctrine of the fall of man

St Augustine

why does the doctrine of the fall of man explain why a once perfect world now has evil

turning away from God creates privatio boni within yourself: “the turning itself is wicked” - Augustine

why might evil be a form of justice, according to Augustine?

it happens to those who sin

does Augustine teach salvation through works or grace

grace

quote from Augustine on sin and evil

“all evil is either sin or punishment for sin”

what is a soul-deciding theodicy? who’s theodicy is soul-deciding?

people have the choice to go to heaven or hell. Augustine’s

what does Schleiermacher argue, regarding the fallen angels story

there was no motive for the angels to sin unless they were made imperfectly. God either made evil or it came out of nowhere

what is a soul-making theodicy? who’s theodicies does this describe?

evil provides opportunity for people to develop in goodness and character. Irenaeus and Hick

who coined the phrase “vale of soul-making”?

Keats

which Genesis quote is the Irenaean theodicy based on? why is does this make this theodicy soul-making?

“God said, let us make mankind in our image, according to our likeness” - Genesis 1:27

humankind must work towards being in God’s likeness over time

does Irenaeus believe in free will?

yes

who goes to hell, in Irenaeus’ view

those who do not co-operate with God’s soul-making plan

why does God send evil, in Irenaeus’ view

to help us grow as a species. without suffering there would be no goodness or repentance, without the need to put in effort there would be no virtue

who develops the Irenaean theodicy?

Hick

what is Swinburne’s argument, regarding why the world is imperfect?

virtues like compassion are impossible in a perfect world

how does Hick develop the Irenaean theodicy?

adds that God doesn’t interfere because it would undermine our free will; he must maintain epistemic distance

argues for universal salvation

what is eschatological verification?

we cannot know what happens after death until we experience it

why does Hick assume everyone goes to heaven

it would be unfair to send anyone to hell because everyone experiences different extents of suffering and evil

eventually the human race will evolve to achieve moral perfection so everyone will deserve to go to heaven

what is the phrase that describes evil that lacks purpose

dysteleological evil

which example does Rowe use to point out the significance of dysteleological evil?

the fawn in a forest fire

why does animal suffering create a problem for the theodicies?

animals do not have souls; their suffering does not help them develop

what is Fry’s response to the problem of evil?

the extent of evil shows that there cannot be a good, all-powerful god. perhaps the deities are structured more like the Greek gods; they are flawed.

what does the logical problem of evil challenge?

the nature of God

what does the evidential problem of evil challenge?

the existence of God, as experiences of evil and suffering suggests there is no God

what kind of argument is the evidential problem of evil

inductive a posteriori

what kind of argument is the logical problem of evil

deductive a priori

How does Augustine explain natural evil

Everything was created perfect by God but the fall lead to a loss of harmony in nature

What does Hick mean by natural evil being an instrumental good

It is good for a purpose, rather than being an intrinsic good

Why does Hick think hell is a part of the problem of evil

No good can come from eternal suffering

3 examples of gratuitous (done without good reason) evils

suffering of innocent children

suffering of animals

suffering which embitters