The Problem of Evil

• Who formulated the problem of evil in philosophy?

  Epicurus
• What is natural evil?

  Evil resulting from natural world events
• Why is natural evil a problem for God's existence?

  God could have designed a world without it
• What is moral evil?

  Evil caused by human actions
• 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 cannot be omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and allow evil
• 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, omnipotence, and omnibenevolence 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 have created animals without pain
• What does Hume argue about God's intervention in natural disasters?

  God could have prevented them
• What does Hume conclude about inferring God's existence?

  Evidence of misfortunes does not support God
• What is Augustine's theodicy based on?

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

  Corruption in humanity from Adam and Eve's sin
• How does Augustine explain the existence of evil?

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

  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 against the logical problem of evil?

  It logically allows for evil as punishment
• What is a weakness of Augustine's theodicy?

  Original sin is not a personal crime
• How does Augustine justify suffering in children?

  As God's justice for original sin
• What does the logical problem of evil claim?

  God and evil cannot coexist
• What does Augustine argue about Adam's sin?

  It infected all future humanity with original sin
• Why do we deserve punishment according to Augustine?

  Because we are sinful beings
• What is a weakness of Augustine's argument regarding original sin?

  It’s not our fault we have original sin
• What do followers of Pelagius argue about Adam's crime?

  It is not a personal crime of his descendants
• Why is it considered unjust to suggest children deserve punishment for original sin?

  Children cannot choose to sin
• How does Augustine justify the suffering of children with cancer?

  As God's justice despite being omnibenevolent
• What does Augustine refer to when he mentions "secret yet just judgement of God"?

  God's inscrutable justice that we must have faith in
• What biblical reference does Augustine use to support his argument?

  Psalm 25:10
• What does Augustine conclude about God's grace and justice?

  Neither can be unjust or cruel
• What is a criticism of Augustine's argument regarding natural evil?

  It fails to account for innocent children's suffering
• How does Augustine view the choice to sin in adults?

  He believes giving in to original sin is a choice
• What does Pelagius argue about the inclination towards evil?

  It is due to upbringing, not nature
• What does Pelagius mean by "educated in evil"?

  Corruption comes from upbringing and society
• How does Martin Luther King’s view contrast with Augustine's original sin?

  He believes humanity progresses towards justice