The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil

If God is all-powerful he can stop evil, if all-knowing he knows about it, if all-loving he would want to stop it, yet evil exists.

Evil

Pain or suffering experienced by sentient beings.

Moral evil

Evil caused by human free choices (e.g. murder, theft).

Natural evil

Evil caused by natural processes independent of human choice (e.g. earthquakes, famine).

Inconsistent triad

God is omnipotent, God is omnibenevolent, evil exists. All cannot be true simultaneously.

The logical problem of evil

If the tri-omni God exists, evil should not exist; evil exists; therefore God does not exist.

Evidential problem of evil

The scale and distribution of suffering make God unlikely.

Pointless suffering

Suffering that produces no moral or spiritual growth (e.g. infants dying).

Free Will Defence

Humans are the source of moral evil because God has created the best world he could; one where there is freedom and some evil instead of no freedom and no evil.

Theodicy

An explanation of why God allows evil.

Purpose of suffering

Develops virtues such as courage and compassion.

Epistemic distance

God remains partially hidden so humans freely develop.

Universal salvation

Everyone eventually reaches perfection.

Eschatological verification

Truth of the afterlife verified after death.