The Logical Problem

• The Logical Problem of Evil

  "The existence of evil and a morally perfect God is logically inconsistent, therefore God does not exist."
• The Inconsistent Triad

  • God = omnipotent
  • God = omnibenevolent
  • Evil exists
• The logical problem of evil is a deductive argument
• The logical problem of evil is also an atheistic argument
• Scholars:

  • Epicurus
  • Mackie
  • McCloskey
• Epicurus: 


  • "If he is willing + unable = feeble"
  • "If he is able + unwilling = envious/malicious"
  • "If he is neither willing nor able then he is both malicious and feeble"

  Meaning: cannot be God for the qualities do not align - EVIL AND GOD CANNOT CO-EXIST
• Mackie and McCloskey:

  1. God is omnipotent - able to prevent suffering
  2. God is omniscient - know how to prevent suffering
  3. God is omnibenevolent - would want to prevent suffering
  4. Evil exists

  (cannot all be true at the same time)

  If God does exist he is either:

  • impotent
  • ignorant
  • wicked
• Mackie and McCloskey developed on Epicurus' beliefs