Philosophy of religion: Problem of Evil

Define natural evil

From natural world, like natural disasters. Not human caused but devastating.

What is moral evil?

Caused by humans.

Why does natural evil cause problems for belief in God?

Moral evil can be blamed on mortal free will. Natural evil cannot, as God created the natural world. Yet God is all loving?

How does moral evil also cause an issue for God’s existence?

Why does God not intervene to protect people?

What were the 4 questions Epicurus asked in relation to the problem of evil?

• Is God willing but unable to prevent evil? Then he is not omnipotent.

• Is God able but unwilling? Then he in not omnibenevolent

• If God is able and willing why is there evil?

• If God is neither able nor willing why call him God?

What is the logical problem of evil?

That the God of classical theism and the problem of evil cannot coexist.

What is Mackie’s Inconsistent Triad?

Omnipotence, omnibenevolence and evil cannot coexist.

What sort of argument is the logical problem of evil?

A priori but can become a posteriori when we reference experience of evil not just definitions of words.

What is the evidential argument?

Argues evils existence makes belief in God unjustified

What is a criticism of the evidential problem of evil?

It is inductive- doesn’t claim evil logically proves God non-existence but claims evil makes believing in God baseless

How does Hume support the evidential problem of evil?

Point out a posteriori evidence for evil (animals suffering etc), suggests a perfect and omnibenevolent God would prevent this. You cannot infer perfect goodness from evil.

What could be an argument against evidential problem of evil?

It can only be argued against if you can explain a possible reason God may have for causing evil. Some theists argue it is punishment for sin but this is often refuted (child cancer victims for example.)