The Problem of Evil Statement of the Problem The following three propositions are inconsistent, any two of them can be true, but not three: Evil exists.

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Presentation transcript:

The Problem of Evil Statement of the Problem The following three propositions are inconsistent, any two of them can be true, but not three: Evil exists God is all-loving God is all-powerful

“If evil in the world is from the intention of the Deity, then He is not benevolent. If evil in the world is contrary to His intention, then He is not omnipotent. But it is either in accordance with His intention or contrary to it. Therefore, either the Deity is not benevolent or He is not omnipotent” David Hume ( ) Famous philosophical formulation of problem

Main answers put forth to resolve the problem 1. Evil is not created by God. (St. Augustine’s answer.) It is not a “thing” in the world, like a plant or an animal. It can be explained as the absence of good. What we call “evil” is a failure or shortcoming of what is and should be good. (e.g. humans are created good but fall short of their true natures). 2. God does not exist. The issue of evil is not a contradiction for atheists. Evil exists and it must be combated. Since there is no God, it is not problematic that evil is such a presence in the world.

3. Evil exists and God exists. There is no contradiction because (choose one or more): A. God is all-loving but not all-powerful. B.God is all-powerful, but not all-loving C.God is neither all-loving nor all-powerful 4. This is the best of all possible worlds: (Leibniz’s answer) No created world is going to be without imperfections (otherwise it would be God). A world without challenges, difficulties, evil and suffering would be worse than one with these. Suffering, struggle, the need for effort are good things. Otherwise there can be no sense of accomplishment or satisfaction.

5. Humans have a limited perspective. (Stoic answer) What humans perceive is just a small piece of a wider whole. We are like people who stand too close to a grand painting. What seems like a blur or flaw to us would make sense if we could stand back and see the whole painting. What we thought was a blur or a flaw is actually important in the harmony of the whole. 6. Problem of Good. Just as evil exists, so does good. Nonbelievers face a “problem of good” because, without an ultimately benevolent force at the root of existence, there is no reason for good to be present at all.