Philosophy of Religion: Anthology

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What did Mackie write about?

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Evil and omnipotence

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Outline Mackie’s argument

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God is omnipotent and wholly good yet evil exists, which classical theology fails to adequately explain. Also discusses paradox of omnipotence.

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11 Terms

1
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What did Mackie write about?

Evil and omnipotence

2
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Outline Mackie’s argument

God is omnipotent and wholly good yet evil exists, which classical theology fails to adequately explain. Also discusses paradox of omnipotence.

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What is the paradox of omnipotence?

That God can limit his powers.

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What do Russell and Copleston discuss?

Debate over God’s existence between Copleston (Christian) and Russel.

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What does Copleston argue initially?

Argument from contingency.

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Outline Russell’s counterarguments

Rejects necessity and the universe having a necessary cause. Compares Copleston’s assumptions to illogical conclusions making inductive leaps.

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How does Copleston and Russel’s debate end?

  • COPLESTON: The universe needs an external explanation

  • RUSSEL: That is unnecessary

No conclusion drawn, highlights difficulty of religion due to language divides.

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What solutions does Mackie critique as ‘fallacious’?

  • That evil is necessary for good

  • Free will

  • Evil contributes to greater good

  • Paradox of omnipotence

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How does Mackie critique evil as necessary for good?

Limits God’s omnipotence.

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How does Mackie critique Free Will defence?

God could have created moral humans to eradicate moral evil.

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How does Mackie critique evil contributing to a greater good?

Illogical as there must then be ‘levels’ of good and evil, and how would these be categorised etc etc…