logical problem of evil

Question 1

what does the logical problem of evil argue?

Answer 1

existence of evil is incompatible with the existence of God

Question 2

who are the 3 main scholars for the LPoE?

Answer 2

Hume, Epicurus, Mackie

Question 3

Hume’s argument in LPoE:

Answer 3

effects of evil are felt too widely so suggests God is impotent or malicious

this means the God of classical theism can’t exist

Question 4

who came up with the inconsistent triad?

what is it?

Answer 4

Mackie

God is omnibenevolent, God is omnipotent and evil exists can’t all exist at the same time

Question 5

points about LPoE:

Answer 5

God alone created the world ex nihilo so he has responsibility for everything in it

God is omniscient so is aware of evil and has the knowledge to prevent it

if God was omnibenevolent he would want no evil

Question 6

what did Epicurus think?

Answer 6

provided 3 points- God is omnipotent, God is omnibenevolent and evil exists (inconsistent triad)

all 3 can’t exist at the same time so God must not exist

Question 7

quote from Epicurus LPoE:

Answer 7

‘is God willing to prevent evil but not able?’

Question 8

solution to deny God’s omnipotence:

Answer 8

if God is not omnipotent he simply can’t control evil so can’t be blamed for its existence
(process theology)

Question 9

solution to deny God’s omnibenevolence:

Answer 9

for most Christians this solution is unthinkable

the belief God is both good and loving supports those who experience evil and is the basis for future hope in heaven

Question 10

solution to deny evil exists:

(+who was it proposed by?)

Answer 10

proposed by St Augustine of Hippo

evil is privation boni (privation of good)
so evil is absence of good like darkness is the absence of light

so no blame can be attached to God