Davies — Problem of Evil Flashcards

What is the “problem of evil”?

The problem of explaining how evil and suffering can exist if God is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful.

. Is the problem of evil a modern problem?

No. It goes back at least to Epicurus (341–270 BC).

What is the basic Epicurean Paradox?

If God wants to eliminate evil but cannot → God isn't omnipotent. If God can eliminate evil but doesn't want to → God isn't wholly good. If God is both willing and able → why does evil exist?

. What is J. L. Mackie's basic argument?

A good and all-powerful God should eliminate evil, yet evil exists, creating an apparent contradiction.

What are the “additional principles” in Mackie's argument?

The ideas that good eliminates evil as far as it can and that there are no limits on what an omnipotent being can do.

What does William Rowe argue about evil?

Evil may not logically disprove God, but the existence of apparently pointless suffering is evidence against God's existence.

What is “suffering with a point”?

Suffering that contributes to or is necessary for some greater good.

What is “pointless suffering”?

Suffering that appears to have no necessary connection to any greater good.

Why does Rowe think pointless suffering matters?

Because the enormous amount of suffering in the world makes it reasonable, in his view, to think that at least some suffering is pointless.

What is the “We Know that God Exists” response?

If someone already has good reasons to believe God exists, the existence of evil doesn't automatically prove God doesn't exist.

What is the “Means and Ends” argument?

Something bad can sometimes be justified if it is necessary for achieving a greater good.

What is the Free Will Defense?

God may allow evil because creating beings with genuine free will allows them to choose good or evil themselves

. What is Mackie's objection to the Free Will Defense?

Mackie asks why God couldn't create beings who are free but always choose good.

How does Plantinga respond to Mackie's objection?

If God guarantees that a person always chooses good, their choice may not be genuinely free.

What is the basic idea behind Swinburne's argument?

Some suffering, including natural evil, might contribute to valuable goods or opportunities for human development.

What does Hick argue about suffering?

Challenges and suffering can help humans develop morally and spiritually.

What is a criticism of Swinburne and Hick?

Even if suffering sometimes produces good qualities, that doesn't prove that suffering is actually necessary for those qualities.

What does Aquinas mean by “evil”?

Evil is a privation—a lack or deficiency of something that should be there.

What does “privation” mean?

The absence or deficiency of something good that should exist.

What is the “We Can't See All the Picture” argument?

Humans have limited knowledge, so we may not understand all the reasons behind suffering or evil.

What is the “We Cannot Judge God in Human Terms” argument?

God should not necessarily be judged according to the same moral standards and obligations that apply to human beings.

Why does Davies criticize Mackie's statement that a good thing always eliminates evil when it can?

Being capable of preventing something bad doesn't automatically mean that a good being is morally required to prevent it.

. What is “absorbed evil”?

Evil that is incorporated into or outweighed by a greater good.

What is “unabsorbed evil”?

Evil that is not outweighed or incorporated into a greater good.

. What is a moral agent?

A being capable of acting according to moral duties, responsibilities, and obligations.

Why do classical theists hesitate to call God a moral agent?

God is understood as the creator of the world and the context in which human moral obligations exist, rather than someone subject to those same obligations.

What is Davies' main point about judging God's goodness?

We need to consider what kind of being God is before assuming that “good” means exactly what it means when describing a good human person.

What does Rowe mean by “pointless suffering”?

Suffering that doesn't appear necessary for achieving a greater good.

What is the Free Will Defense?

God allows genuine free will, which means creatures can choose evil as well as good.

What is Mackie's objection to free will?

Why couldn't God create people who are free but always choose good?

What is Plantinga's response?

If God guarantees that someone always chooses good, they may not be genuinely free.

What does “I can't see why ≠ There is no why” mean?

Not understanding God's reason doesn't prove that God has no reason.

What is the difference between “God is good” and “God is morally good”?

Human moral goodness involves duties and obligations, while classical theism says God isn't necessarily subject to human-style moral obligations.

What is Davies' overall response to the Problem of Evil?

The existence of evil creates a serious question, but it doesn't automatically prove that God doesn't exist, because there may be reasons for evil that humans cannot fully understand, and God's goodness may not be identical to human moral goodness.