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 the God of classical theism cannot coexist
• What does Mackie's 'inconsistent triad' argue?

  God, omnibenevolence, and evil cannot coexist
• What does omnipotence entail?

  The power to eliminate evil
• What does omnibenevolence entail?

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

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

  Conclusion follows from 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
• Who is associated with the evidential problem of evil?

  Hume
• What is Hume's first point regarding animal suffering?

  Nature could reduce animal pain
• What does Hume argue about God's intervention?

  God could prevent natural disasters
• What does Hume conclude about evidence and God's existence?

  Evidence of misfortunes contradicts God's existence
• What is Augustine's theodicy focused on?

  The origin of sin and its consequences
• 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 is free will important according to Plantinga?

  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?

  It seems unfair for inherited sin
• How does Augustine justify punishment for original sin?

  All humanity deserves punishment for sin
• What does Augustine claim about the nature of evil?

  Evil has no positive existence
• What does Plantinga argue about God's ability to remove evil?

  God cannot remove evil without removing free will
• What is the conclusion of Plantinga's argument?

  It is better for evil to exist
• How does Augustine's view differ from Pelagius regarding original sin?

  Pelagius argues it's not inherited sin
• What is the implication of original sin for humanity?

  All humans are born sinful beings
• What does Augustine say about the nature of evil?

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

  Value exists because of free will
• What does the logical problem of evil claim about God's attributes?

  God cannot be both omnibenevolent and omnipotent
• What is the relationship between evil and God's existence according to the logical problem?

  Evil's existence contradicts God's existence
• What does the evidential problem of evil suggest about belief in God?

  Belief in God is unjustified due to evil
• How does Hume's empiricism relate to the problem of evil?

  Evidence suggests belief in imperfection
• What does Hume argue about the inference to God's existence?

  Misfortunes do not prove God's attributes
• What does Augustine's view imply about human nature?

  Humans are inherently sinful due to original sin
• What does Plantinga's argument imply about the nature of God?

  God allows evil for the sake of free will
• What does the logical problem of evil challenge about classical theism?

  It challenges the coexistence of God and evil