THE PROBLEM OF EVIL
The monotheistic God of Christianity assumes the divine PROBLEM OF EVIL The
qualities of omnipotence, omniscience and omni- abo
benevolence. However, the existence of evil and suffering in DAVID HUME of G
the world provides a challenge to the loving God of classical David Hume, in ‘Dialogues Concerning Natural Willi
Religion’, supports the view that the God of classical he d
theism. Some philosophers have further developed the idea
theism does not exist. Hume suggests that, at best, only that
to argue that evil in the world is evidence for the claim that
two of God’s attributes can work together: our
God does not exist. 1. God is not omnipotent, or Row
2. God is not omnibenevolent, or
of s
NATURAL AND MORAL EVIL 3. Evil does not exist.
that
St Augustine believed that evil does not really exists and Hume concluded that, as evil does exist, the God of grea
argued that evil is actually a privation of good. However, classical theism does not.
Row
others believe that evil does exist where there is a
MACKIE: ‘EVIL AND OMNIPOTENCE’ able
distinction between natural evil and moral evil.
Mackie argued that that the problem of evil fundamentally evil
Natural Evil – refers to the evils caused by the natural purp
undermines the idea of an omnipotent, omnibenevolent God. He
state of things. For example, natural disasters, diseases, supports his arguments by trying to come up with solutions, which Row
serious illness, etc. he then shows to be inadequate. "
Moral Evil – refers to evils that have come about as a ADEQUATE SOLUTIONS r
direct result of human intentions and choices. For Adequate solutions essentially avoid the problem altogether, h
example, murder, theft, rape, bullying, etc. e.g. by changing the definition of God or that evil is an illusion.
Mackie argues that those adopting these solutions are guilty
d
THE LOGICAL PROBLEM OF EVIL of inconsistency. When they practice their religion in reality, T
The logical problem of evil focuses on the inconsistent triad put the reassert the proposition that God is omnipotent. t
forward by the pre-Christian Greek philosopher Epicurus. It is FALLACIOUS SOLUTIONS b
based on the fact that the God of classical theism is held to be Fallacious solutions attempt to solve the problem while The
omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient. retaining the traditional definition of God, e.g. suffering is a unn
The logical problem of evil attacks the heart of the traditional necessary element in human moral development or is a result of c
concept of God. J.L. Mackie calls it a problem of logical of human free will.
inconsistency as the following premises cannot all be true at the Mackie argues that while these theodicies explicitly say that
same time: they retain their belief in God’s goodness and omnipotence,
P1 God is omniscient the implicitly weaken these beliefs in order for their Epi
P2 God is omnipotent arguments to work.
