The Problem of Evil

• Who formulated the problem of evil?

  Epicurus
• What is natural evil?

  Evil resulting from natural world events
• What is moral evil?

  Evil caused by human actions
• Why is natural evil a problem for God's existence?

  God could have created a world without it
• Why is moral evil a problem for God's existence?

  God does not intervene to prevent it
• What is the logical problem of evil?

  Evil and classical theism cannot coexist
• What does Mackie's 'inconsistent triad' argue?

  God, evil, and omnibenevolence cannot coexist
• What does omnipotence entail according to the logical problem of evil?

  The power to eliminate evil
• What does omnibenevolence entail according to the logical problem of evil?

  The motivation to prevent evil
• What is the conclusion of the logical problem of evil?

  God and evil cannot coexist
• What is an a priori argument?

  Conclusion based on logical analysis
• What is an a posteriori argument?

  Conclusion based on experience and evidence
• What does the evidential problem of evil argue?

  Evil makes belief in God unjustified
• How does Hume approach the problem of evil?

  As an empiricist using a posteriori evidence
• What are Hume's points regarding animal suffering?

  Nature could reduce animal pain
• What does Hume conclude about the existence of God?

  Evidence of evil makes belief unjustified
• What is Augustine's theodicy focused on?

  The origin of sin and human predisposition
• What is Original Sin according to Augustine?

  Corruption inherited from Adam and Eve
• How does Augustine view evil?

  Evil is a privation of good
• What is Plantinga's 'free will defense'?

  Evil results from the misuse of free will
• Why does Plantinga argue free will is necessary?

  It gives value to our existence
• What is a strength of Augustine's theodicy?

  It logically allows for moral responsibility
• What is a weakness of Augustine's theodicy?

  Original sin seems unfair to descendants
• How does Augustine justify suffering in children?

  As a consequence of original sin
• What does Augustine claim about the nature of evil?

  Evil has no positive existence
• What does the logical problem of evil claim?

  God and evil cannot coexist logically
• What is the conclusion of Plantinga's argument?

  It is better for evil to exist
• How does Plantinga respond to the logical problem of evil?

  By arguing for the necessity of free will
• What does the evidential problem of evil require from defenders of God?

  Good evidence for God's existence despite evil
• What does the logical problem of evil claim about God's attributes?

  God cannot be both omnibenevolent and omnipotent
• What is the significance of the Fall in Augustine's theodicy?

  It explains the origin of original sin
• How does Augustine view the relationship between sin and punishment?

  All evil is either sin or punishment for sin
• What does Augustine argue about the nature of evil?

  Evil is the absence of good
• What does Plantinga argue about the value of free will?

  It is essential for a meaningful existence
• What does the logical problem of evil claim about God's existence?

  It argues God cannot exist with evil
• What is the relationship between free will and evil according to Plantinga?

  Evil results from the misuse of free will
• What does Augustine's view imply about human nature?

  Humans are inherently sinful due to original sin
• How does Augustine explain the existence of evil?

  Evil is a result of free will and sin
• What does the logical problem of evil challenge about God's attributes?

  It challenges the compatibility of God's goodness and power
• What does the evidential problem of evil suggest about belief in God?

  It suggests belief is unjustified due to evil