Lecture 20 & 21: God and the Problem of Evil

Today’s Lecture In lecture 20 we will: Become introduced to the problem of evil in relation to the philosophy of religion Outline some preliminary solutions to the problem of evil Break up into groups and begin researching group presentations In lecture 21 we will: Get into groups and make final preparations for the group presentation Have each group give their presentation Today’s Lecture

God and the Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil Key questions: What do we mean by evil? Does the presence of evil in our world mean that God does not exist? If God and evil both exist, what kind of God exists? If God and evil both exist, why does God allow evil to exist? How do we reconcile the existence of evil with God? The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil What do we mean by evil? (p.308) Natural Evil Evil and suffering that results from natural causes. For example, the earthquake in Haiti, AIDS, Cancer, etc. Moral Evil Evil and suffering that results from human will. For example, Nazi death camps, genocide, torture, murder, rape, etc. The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil What do we mean by God? According to the traditional conception of God: He is omnipotent God is all-powerful; there is nothing God cannot do or beyond the range of his powers He is omniscient God is all-seeing; there is nothing that happens which God does not see. God is aware of everything that happens. He is omnibenevolent God is all-loving; God would never intentionally allow harm to come to anyone or do anything which is not a loving act. The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil What is the problem? Example: An earthquake kills 100,000 people Problem: If God is omniscient he knew that the earthquake would happen If God is omnipotent he could have stopped the earthquake from taking place If God is omnibenevolent, why did he let this happen? How can we reconcile our traditional concept of God with the presence of evil in our world? The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil What is the problem? Example: The Nazi’s killed millions Problem: If God is omniscient he knew that World War II would happen If God is omnipotent he could have stopped WW II from taking place If God is omnibenevolent, why did he let this happen? Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil? David Hume (p.310) The Problem of Evil

The Problem of Evil Theodicy (attempts to justify God’s ways) Preliminary attempts to resolve the problem of evil include: God is limited We can deny that God is omnipotent; either God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent or there is evil. God’s ways are inscrutable We cannot / are not meant to understand God’s intentions A perfect world is logically impossible Evils as necessary by-products of nature The Problem of Evil

Presentation Activity

Presentation Activity In Lecture 21 each group will give a presentation on the assigned section of the textbook You will need to: Prepare a 15 minute presentation Assign roles for each person in the group (everyone must speak) Research your topic Allow time for discussion with the rest of the class Answer all of the questions on your activity sheet Presentation Activity