the evidential problem of evil

what kind of arg is it

abductive arg. - they conclusion, is a hypothesis that best explains the evidence presented in the premises when compared to other hypotheses

what is the main aim of the arg.

to argue that evil provides string evidence against the existence of God

what is the arg is standard form

• either hypothesis 1 or 2 is true:

  • H1: God exists

  • H2: God doesnt exist

• the amount of evil and suffering in the world is not explained by H1 and is well explained by H2

• if H1 were true, there would much less suffering and evil, if any in the world

• therefore H1 is unlikely to be true and H2 is more likely to be correct

• so it is likely that God does not exist

how can the arg be developed

• the quantity of evil in the world, and the existence of pointless and unavoidable suffering in the world counts against the existence of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent God - lowering the probability that such a God exists

• the fact that God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent means that God would have the capacity and the desire to reduce the amount of suffering in the world

what is response to this arg.

hick’s soul-making theodicy