the problem of evil

Question 1

what is the evidential problem of evil?

Answer 1

is god is omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipotent then why is there evil and suffering in the world
possibly god lacks one of these qualities, however the most obvious solution is that God doesn’t exist. unless theists can come up with an explanation.

Question 2

Mackie’s inconsistent triad

Answer 2

God is omnipotent, benevolent and evil exists, cannot have all three.

Question 3

simple solutions (2)

Answer 3

Ockham’s razor - simplest solution, non-existence of Christian God which is the key reason for atheism.
OR
God lacks one or more essential quality HOWEVER then worship for Christians becomes difficult and means that authority of scripture and tradition challenged.

Question 4

DEFINITION: theodicy

Answer 4

attempts to justify God’s apparent failure to either prevent evil or stop it continuing, attempts to solve the problems of evil and suffering.

Question 5

what makes a successful theodicy

Answer 5

• define ‘evil’ satisfactorily
• explain the origin of evil
• explaining the continuing existence of:
  - moral evil
  - natural evil

Question 6

key words to do with the AUGUSTINIAN theodicy

Answer 6

• free will
• privation
• perfect creation
• the fall
• soul-deciding

Question 7

key words to do with the IRENAEAN theodicy

Answer 7

• epistemic distance
• hick
• universalism
• evolution
• pilgrimage
• soul-making
• good creation
• developing perfection
• likeness

Question 8

DEFINITION: epistemic distance

Answer 8

(Irenaeus) God stays a safe distance away so he can’t be seen or known (doesn’t undermine free will)