Logical Problem of Evil Flashcards

1
Q

Logical problem of evil:

A
  1. God is omnipotent
  2. God is omnibenevolent
  3. Evil exists
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

These three statements are known as…

A

the inconsistent triad - cannot all be true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Solutions that deny one of the three statements:

Solution 1:

A

Denying Gods omnipotence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Denying Gods omnipotence:

A

if he isn’t omnipotent then unable to control evil and so cannot be blamed for its continued existence.
The preferred solution of Process theology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

This is an issue…

A

for most believers a God who is omnipotent would not be worthy of worship. No argument to prove that God is omnipotent - its a matter of faith

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Solution 2:

A

denying Gods omnibenevolence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

For many Christians this is…

A

unthinkable as belief that God is both good and loving supports those who experience evil.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

According for Freud…

A

God’s omnibenevolence is just a case of wish-fulfilment: there is no all-loving God, only the desire for one.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

However, Freuds argument doesn’t work…

A

because wishing something to be true doesn’t mean that it isn’t true.
Not possible to show his omnibenevolence as much as his omnipotence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Solution 3:

A

this solution was proposed by Augustine of Hippo.

He argued that evil is privatio boni - a privation of good.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Augustine said…

A

evil does not simply exist in its own right but its in an absence of good.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

However, denying the reality of evil doesn’t seem acceptable as…

A

most people have experienced the power of evil to disrupt their lives and most people see evil as being real and tangible as good.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Solutions that argue there is a sufficient reason why God allows evil to exist:

A
  1. Free will defence

2. John Hicks eschatological solution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q
  1. Free will defence
A

argues that God has to allow evil in order to preserve free will.
The good has to be freely chosen
In order to bring about the ‘goods’ such as

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

In order to bring about the ‘goods’ such as…

A

compassion and love we have to be ‘free’ to choose the opposing vices of hatred and heartlessness.
Therefore, humans are morally responsible for moral evil and God is not.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q
  1. John Hick’s eschatological solution
A

is the theology of what will happen at the end of the universe - the theology of death, judgement, heaven and hell.
Idea that in the end everybody will reach God’s kingdom. In this case, evil is a necessary part of the process by which we become fit for heaven.

17
Q

Its the idea that…

A

in the end everybody will reach God’s kingdom.

In this case, evil is a necessary part of the process by which we become fit for heaven.

18
Q

Evidential problem of evil

A

There are known facts about evil that are evidence against the existence of God

19
Q

Two types of evil which supply such evidence:

A
  1. Evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality e.g. acts of genocide
  2. Evil that is pointless because it serves no useful purpose. - natural evil (however, may be said as not pointless as bring about resistance of people tog/ improve knowledge)
20
Q

Evidential problem is made worse by

A

the problem of God’s omniscience

21
Q

The evidence from evil that is overwhelming in quantity and quality.

A

evidential prob of evil based simply on what we observe about evil.