The Logical Problem of Evil - the problem of suffering

Who created the Logical Problem of Evil?

Greek Philosopher Epicurus

What type of argument is the Logical Problem of Evil?

Classical

What does Epicurus say if God was omnibenevolent?

He would want to get rid of evil and suffering

What does Epicurus say if God was omnipotent?

He should be able to get rid of evil to suffering

What does Epicurus say if God is omnipresent?

He is everywhere so should be able to control all evil

What does Epicurus say if God is omniscient?

He should know all about evil and stop it before it happens

What is God not?

He is either not omnipotent or not omnibenevolent

Why is God not one of these things?

As evil and suffering still exists or else evil doesn’t exist

What does Mackie refer to the idea of God and evil as?

The inconsistent triad

What is on the inconsistent triad?

Omnibenevolence, omnipotence and evil

What does Mackie say about Epicurus’ statements about God?

It is logically inconsistent for them to exist simultaneously and co-exist

How can the inconsistent triad be fixed?

Gods characteristic of omnipotence, omnibenevolence or evil

How can removing a characteristic suggest our perception is at fault?

As we cannot see the world from God’s perspective and if we could we may see that the suffering that creation faces is not the evil we think it is

How does Mackie focus on the logical problem?

In its purest sense - there is not limits to what an omnipotent being might do

What does Hume use the logical problem of evil to conclude?

God doesnt exist

What does Aquinas use the logical problem of evil to conclude?

God exists