Evil and Suffering

Types of evil

• Natural evil - natural disasters independent of human action e.g. hurricanes
• Moral evil - evil acts created or committed by humans on purpose

Does evil exist?

• Monists argue there is no evil and we simply cannot see the whole picture
• For atheists, simply there is no God and evil does exist
• Our view of evil is distorted and it is simply an illusion - Buddhist or Hindu

Does evil have purpose?

• Evil exists to punish humanity for their sins
• Evil exists to help humans develop good qualities such as kindness and courage
• Evil is innevitable
• Evil exists so that God can show his love for humanity as he is not a distant God

The inconsitient triad created by Mackie suggested the logical probelm of evil

• If God created the world ex-nihilo and he can do anything that is logically possible and is all loving he should have created a world where evil does not exist
• Even if evil existed prior to creation, and god is all powerful and all loving he should get rid of all evil and suffering

               God is omnipotent - Evil exists - God is omnibenevolent

Augustinian theodicy

God created a perfect world. But then Adam and Eve sinned, and then came the fall. Evil is a punishment for the original sin as humanity is imperfect, as we are all of Adam's seminal line. Evil came from free-will of those who turned their backs on God. Natural evil comes from the loss of order in nature, and moral evil comes from human free-will and knowledge of evil and hence disobidience. God is right not to intervene as punishment is justice and God is a just God.

Probelms with Augustinian theodicy

Schlieracher says that saying a perfect world could go wrong is a logical contradiction. The exten of evil in the world over history is too much for a punishment - it is cruel hence a cruel God. If humans chose to disobey God then knowledge of good and evil must have already existed. Excludes scientific explantions for the beginning of the world and relies on authority of the bible.

Iranaean theodicy

God did create a perfect world but after the fall the world became imperfect along with man. He argued that suffering exists so that we could develop back into God's likeness. Through suffering we can develop qualities such as courage and kindness etc. Evil is a valuael part of God's plan, along with free-will. Iranaeas focuses on epistemic distance - God keeps a distance from the world as if he were too close to humans they would have no choice but to believe in and obey him.

Weaknesses with Iranaean theodicy

Does this justif the extent of human suffering e.g. holocaust? However, it can be argued that we just can't see this big picture, unlike a transcendent God, and that suffering at one point of time may result in greater results at another point. Many people are able to develop good qualities without extensive suffering. In some ways evil seems to be a random occurence e.g. child cancer

Process theodicy

The universe is an uncreated process. God is part of this process and so cannot change it. Evil and suffering come from when there is chaos, whereas goodnes comes from order in the universe. Everything is momentary and creates a number of possibilities. Therefore, evil is innevitable and God does not have the power to change the natural process

Weaknesses with Process theodicy

In essence it denies God's onmipotence. It brings up the question of a morally innept God who creates a few marvellous humans, at the cost of many sufferers, is he worthy of worship? Furthermore there is no promise of an afterlife as compensation for those who suffer

Free will defense

God allows free will and does not intervene even if evil is excessive, as to do so would limit human freedom. People excercise real freedo to make choices creating both good and evil. Human life is limited as if we had infinite time we would not develop good qualities or make good decisions, therfore death must exist to force us to be good people, in this way we must take our responsibilities seriously.

Weaknesses of free will defenses

Does not explain natural evil but only moral evil, nor does it solve the inconsistent triad. Slaves for example, do not have the option to excercise free will. Furthermore, more even if death is necessary to develop good qualities, why must children die, as they do not have the time or mental capacity to take 'responsibilities seriously'.