Problem of Evil: Detailed Notes

• 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 like murder
• Why is natural evil a problem for God's existence?

  God could have designed 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 cannot be omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and allow evil
• What does the logical problem of evil claim?

  It is logically impossible for God and evil to coexist
• What is the conclusion of the logical problem of evil?

  God does not exist if evil exists
• What is the evidential problem of evil?

  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 be designed to reduce pain
• What does Hume argue about God's reasons for allowing evil?

  We have no evidence of such reasons
• What is Augustine's theodicy based on?

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

  The first sin corrupted all humanity
• How does Augustine explain the existence of evil?

  Evil is a privation of good, not a thing
• 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 the existence of evil
• What is a weakness of Augustine's theodicy?

  It seems unfair to punish descendants for Adam's sin
• How does the problem of evil challenge the concept of God's omnibenevolence?

  It questions God's willingness to prevent evil
• What does the logical problem of evil require to be defeated?

  A logically possible reason for allowing evil
• What is the conclusion of Hume's argument regarding belief in God?

  Belief in God is not justified
• What does the evidential problem of evil argue about God's existence?

  Evidence of evil makes belief unjustified
• How does Plantinga's view differ from Augustine's regarding free will?

  Plantinga emphasizes free will's necessity for value
• What does Augustine claim about the nature of evil?

  Evil has no positive existence, only negative
• What does Plantinga argue about the relationship between free will and evil?

  Free will allows for the existence of evil
• What is the implication of Plantinga's argument for God's nature?

  An omnibenevolent God would allow evil
• How does Augustine's view address moral responsibility?

  Humans are responsible for their own sins
• What is the significance of the Fall in Augustine's theodicy?

  It explains humanity's corruption and suffering
• What does Augustine say about the nature of evil?

  It is a privation of good
• How does Plantinga's free will defense relate to natural evil?

  Natural evil can result from free will misuse
• What is the challenge posed by Pelagius to Augustine's view?

  It questions the fairness of original sin punishment
• What does Augustine argue about the consequences of Adam's sin?

  All humanity inherits original sin and punishment
• What does Augustine claim about the nature of humanity after the Fall?

  Humans are born sinful beings
• How does Augustine's view of evil differ from traditional views?

  He sees evil as a lack of good, not a thing
• What is the implication of Plantinga's argument for the value of free will?

  Value exists because of the possibility of evil
• What does Plantinga argue about the necessity of free will?

  It is essential for a valuable existence
• What does Augustine say about the relationship between evil and good?

  Evil is the absence of good
• How does the problem of evil challenge the concept of a perfect God?

  It questions God's ability to prevent evil