Evil And Suffering Flashcards
(30 cards)
Evil
- The absence of good
- An abstract concept
- Natural evil vs moral evil
Suffering
- Can be caused by evil
- Pain or harm to an individual no matter species
The concept of God
An omnipotent, omnibenevolent, omniscient and transcendent being of God of classic theism.
Theism
The belief in God
Moral evil
Evil caused by human agency (e.g., murder, rape)
Natural evil
Evil caused naturally (e.g., Tsunamis, droughts)
The evidential problem of evil
- There are known facts about evil that are evidence against the existence of God.
- The evidential problem of God is made worse by God’s omniscience.
There are two types of evil which supply such evidence:
1. Evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality.
2. Evil that is pointless because it serves no useful purpose
Theodicy
The word theodicy derives from Greek words, theos and dike. It translates to justifying God or a defence of God.
Augustinian theodicy
God exists and evil exists. Both are necessary. God is right to allow evil and suffering as they play an important part in our nature and development as humans.
Quote on creation
“God saw all that he had made and it was good.”
Quote on the fall
“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Key criticisms
Moral: How can an all-loving God allow suffering to occur. It isn’t fair.
Logical: Schleiermacher- it is a logical contradiction to say that a perfect world (Genesis 1) could go wrong.
Scientific: Genesis creation story is challenged by evolution
Apologist
A person who offers an argument in defence if something controversial.
Summary of Irenaean theodicy
Irenaeus offers a different theory to St Augustine. In Against Heresies, he claimed that God deliberately created an imperfect world so that humans could, through trial and adversity, develop into perfect beings. In a sense, evil and suffering are part of God’s plan for humanity.
Free will
The idea that God has given us the opportunity to make our own choices in order to give us independence.
Soul-making
Suffering ultimately makes people develop into better beings.
Irenaeus theodicy as a upwards theodicy
It offers the opportunity for humanity to improve themselves and work up to perfection.
Irenaeus theodicy as a soul-making theodicy
Humanity is on a learning curve, striving towards perfection. Suffering has the benefit of creating an environment where desireable characteristics can be developed by mankind.
Quote on Irenaeus theodicy
“A world without problems, difficulties, perils, and hardships would be morally static, for moral and spiritual growth comes through responses to challenges; and in paradise there would be no challanges.”
Similarities between Irenaean theodicy and Augustine theodicy
Both credit free will
Differences between Irenaean theodicy and Augustine theodicy
Augustine blames suffering on humanity, whereas Irenaeus “blames” God.
Why is evil a problem?
- Only a problem for theists.
- Conflict between the ‘omni’ qualities of God and the existence of evil that lead to suffering
- Theodicy = justifying God
Purpose on John Hick’s justification
To show that there is a plausible explanation for the existence of evil that is probably true.
John Hick: 1. Augustine theodicy is no longer credible
-Hick finds this ‘utterly acceptable’ that Augustine places the origin of evil and suffering in the fall of Adam and Eve.
-Scientifically Genesis is a mythological account, disease was a part of the world as well as natural disasters before humans which contradicts Augustine’s belief that these things were brought to punish Adam and Eve.
