The Problem of Evil Michael Lacewing enquiriesalevelphilosophy co

The Problem of Evil Michael Lacewing enquiries@alevelphilosophy. co. uk © Michael Lacewing

Types of evil • Evil: the term is used to cover not just actions and motives that are wrong or cause suffering, but also suffering in general, of animals as well as human beings • Moral evil: evil caused by moral agents through choice • Natural evil: evil caused in other ways, e. g. suffering caused by earthquakes, illness, etc.

The problem • God is all-good and omnipotent. If allgood, then God would not wish us to suffer unnecessarily; if omnipotent, then God is able to prevent us from suffering unnecessarily. • If God created the world, which contains evil, then it seems God created evil.

Two problems of evil • Logical: ‘The mere existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of an all-loving, all-powerful God. ’ – This doesn’t seem to be true, e. g. if some evil is necessary for some greater good. • Evidential: ‘The amount of evil that exists is incompatible with the existence of an allloving, all-powerful God. ’

Solutions?

Augustine’s theodicy • ‘It’s all our fault. ’ • The ‘Fall’, which resulted from Adam and Eve’s choice, altered the order of the universe, giving rise to pain and struggle (Genesis 3: 1519). So all evil, natural evil as well as moral evil, was caused by human choice, not God.

Objections • If the Fall never happened, how can human sin be literally the cause of natural evil? • Is it fair for God to allow such terrible consequences from just one choice? • Is free will so good that it outweighs all evil? • Could God ensure that free agents always choose the good?

Irenaeus’ theodicy • ‘Suffering is good for us. ’ • Suffering is necessary for people to be good: Virtues are impossible unless there is evil (natural or moral) to respond to and correct.

Objections • Why couldn’t God create us virtuous? • Does all suffering – who suffers and how much – lead to the growth of goodness? – Reply: predictability would not require faith or hope • Why so much suffering? Can’t goodness grow against more minor evils? How can the suffering of animals be explained?