Philosophical Perspectives on the Problem of Evil and Free Will

Nature of God

• God has specific attributes and omnipotent qualities.
• Key attributes discussed:
• All-powerful (omnipotent)
• All-knowing (omniscient)
• All-wise (perfect understanding and wisdom)

The Problem of Evil

• Reference to philosopher who questions: "Why does God allow evil?"
• Connection to free will: evil exists because humans have the choice to do good or evil.
• The essence of the argument is tied to God’s attributes:
• God cannot do anything that contradicts His nature (e.g., a married bachelor does not exist).
• If God is all-wise, He cannot make foolish decisions.

Understanding Evil Through the Story of Job

• Job questions God about the existence of evil:
• God’s response highlights human finitude and lack of understanding of the universe and evil.
• God’s omniscience permits Him to understand the complexities and reasons behind evil, which humans cannot grasp.

Order and Harmony in Creation

• The natural world exhibits order and harmony, supporting the idea of a wise and orderly God.
• Since the world operates in an organized manner, it reflects the nature of God as orderly.

This World as the Best Possible World

• Even with the existence of evil, this world is considered the best of all possible worlds created by God.
• God had infinite possibilities for creation, yet He chose this particular world.
• Everything that exists in this world, including individuals and events, contributes to this being the best creation.

Human Individuality and Conceptual Understanding

• Each person is unique (identified as a subject with a name).
• God possesses knowledge about each individual, including desires, choices, and characteristics.
• Through the concept of individuals, God recognizes true propositions about them (e.g., preferences, choices).

Free Will and Moral Responsibility

• God grants free will to humans, allowing genuine moral choices.
• Example of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Christ illustrates the power of free will in making moral choices.

Conclusion on Evil and Free Will

• God allows evil to exist so humans can experience free will, leading to genuine moral choices.
• A world with free will is viewed as more valuable than a predetermined existence (e.g., puppets or robots).
• The existence of evil and sin is part of a broader divine plan that allows for true freedom, even with the risk of negative outcomes.