Evil and suffering

Evidential problem of evil

The scale, distribution and intensity of suffering means it it’s highly improbable that God exists

Logical problem of evil

An omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent God logically cannot coexist with any evil and suffering

What is natural evil?

Suffering caused by the natural world e.g. earthquakes

What is moral evil?

Suffering caused by human free choices e.g. murder

What is Hick’s soul making

God allows suffering so humans can freely develop from God's image into his likeness through spiritual growth

What is the image/likeness distinction?

Humans are born with God's rational image but must freely develop into his likeness

What is epistemic distance?

God remains hidden so humans can freely choose him without being overwhelmed or coerced

What does Hick reject?

Humans were created perfect and fell as this is unscientific

Key weakness of soul making?

Some suffering seems excessive and pointless as not all suffering builds character

Who proposes the free will defence?

Plantinga

What is Plantinga's core claim?

God cannot create genuinely free beings and also guarantee they never choose evil

What is transworld depravity?

In every possible world, free humans would choose some evil so God cannot create a world with no evil and freedom

Does free will defence cover natural evil?

No

Key strength of free will defence?

It shows there is no logical contradiction between God and evil

Who presents the process theodicy view on the problem of evil

Griffin

What is Griffin's view of God?

God is not traditionally omnipotent

How does he combat the problem of evil

God cannot stop some suffering and evil

Difference between Hick and Griffin

Griffin accepts evil is pointless but we can’t prevent it