Divine Command Theory

What is an evidential argument from evil?

An argument that seeks to show that the presence of evil in the world inductively supports or makes likely the claim that God does not exist.

What type of evil did Rowe focus on in his argument?

Intense or pointless human and animal suffering, which occurs abundantly in the world.

What is intrinsic evil?

An evil that is bad in and of itself, such as intense suffering.

What is the first premise of Rowe’s argument?

There exist instances of intense suffering which an omniscient, omnipotent being could have prevented without thereby losing some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse.

What is the second premise of Rowe’s argument?

An omniscient, wholly good being would prevent the occurrence of any intense suffering it could, unless it could not do so without thereby losing some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse.

What is the conclusion of Rowe’s argument?

Therefore, there does not exist an omnipotent, omniscient, wholly good being.

Why does Rowe consider his argument valid?

Because a wholly good and omnipotent God would not permit avoidable, pointless evil that serves no purpose.

How does Rowe use evidence to argue against the existence of God?

The existence of unnecessary evil is taken as evidence that an omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good God does not exist.

What types of evil does Rowe use in his argument?

Both moral evil (caused by human actions) and natural evil (caused by nature, such as diseases and natural disasters).

Why does Rowe use both moral and natural evil in his argument?

To present the evidential argument in the strongest possible terms by showing that unnecessary evil exists in all forms.

What does a commentator say about Rowe’s examples of evil?

"If these cases of evil are not evidence against theism, then none are."

What key premise does Rowe’s argument rest on?

That a wholly good God would not permit any gratuitous evil—evil that is avoidable, pointless, or unnecessary according to God’s ultimate plan.

What is gratuitous evil?

Evil that is unnecessary, avoidable, and serves no greater purpose in God's ultimate plan.

What did Rowe offer to support his argument?

A "factual premise" based on examples of evil that he believed represented common occurrences.

What is a factual premise in Rowe’s argument?

A premise based on observed cases of evil that suggest unnecessary suffering exists in the world.

What is Rowe’s fawn example?

A thought experiment where a fawn suffers and dies slowly in a forest fire, with no possible greater good resulting from its suffering.

What type of evil does the fawn example illustrate?

Natural evil, since the suffering is caused by a natural event (a forest fire) rather than human action.

Why is the fawn’s suffering considered gratuitous?

Because it is pointless and does not contribute to a greater good or prevent a worse evil.

How does the fawn example support Rowe’s argument?

It provides evidence of unnecessary suffering, challenging the idea of an omnipotent, wholly good God who would prevent such suffering if possible.

What would a theist need to argue to counter the fawn example?

That the fawn’s suffering somehow contributes to a greater good or prevents a greater evil, even if we do not understand how.

What is the Case of Sue in Rowe’s argument?

A thought experiment where a young girl (Sue) is brutally attacked, raped, and murdered, highlighting extreme moral evil.

What type of evil does the Case of Sue illustrate?

Moral evil, since it is caused by human actions rather than natural events.

Why is Sue’s suffering considered gratuitous?

Because it appears to serve no greater purpose or prevent a worse evil, making it seemingly unnecessary suffering.

How does the Case of Sue support Rowe’s argument?

It presents an example of extreme, seemingly pointless suffering that a wholly good, omnipotent God would have the power to prevent.

Why does Rowe include both the Fawn Example and the Case of Sue?

To show that both natural and moral evil exist in ways that appear unnecessary, strengthening the evidential argument from evil.

What is Gregory S. Paul’s argument from premature deaths?

Paul argues that the massive scale of premature deaths, especially among children, provides strong evidence against the existence of a benevolent, omnipotent God.

What type of evil does Paul’s argument focus on?

Natural evil, as premature deaths often result from disease, natural disasters, and other causes unrelated to human free will.

How does Paul’s argument relate to Rowe’s evidential argument from evil?

Like Rowe, Paul argues that unnecessary suffering—especially on a massive scale—suggests that an all-good, all-powerful God does not exist.

What statistical evidence does Paul use to support his argument?

He highlights the vast number of children and infants who have died throughout history due to disease, famine, and other natural causes.

Why does Paul argue that the problem of evil is worse than traditionally thought?

Because the sheer number of premature deaths suggests that suffering is not just occasional but deeply embedded in the natural order.

How might a theist respond to Paul’s argument?

A theist might argue that these deaths are part of a greater divine plan, that an afterlife compensates for suffering, or that human understanding is too limited to judge God's reasons.

What does Gregory S. Paul argue about Christian prayer and child suffering?

He claims there is no historical evidence that Christian prayer has reduced child suffering in areas with Christian majorities, which challenges belief in a benevolent God.

Why does Paul believe the lack of answered prayers is evidence against God’s existence?

If a Christian God existed, one might expect prayer to have a measurable impact on reducing suffering, but no such evidence exists.

How does Paul’s argument connect to the problem of evil?

It reinforces the idea that if a loving and powerful God existed, He would intervene to prevent widespread suffering, especially in response to prayer.

How might a theist respond to Paul’s argument about prayer?

A theist might argue that God answers prayers in ways beyond human understanding or that suffering serves a greater divine purpose.

What broader claim does Paul’s argument about prayer support?

That large-scale, unnecessary suffering—despite religious devotion—suggests that an all-powerful, wholly good God does not exist.