re- problem of evil

What are the key features of the problem of evil? 21 marks

The problem of evil is a theological problem, challenging the nature of God and how he is justifed in allowing evil to exist. Aquinas defines evil as ' The absence or privation of good'. There are 2 main types of evil natural evil, where evil events occur in which humans have no control over e.g, earthquakes. Moral evil is actions perfomed by humans which cause suffering e.g, murder. Other types of evil include physical evil, events which cause mental pain and anguish e.g, fear and metaphysical evil, events which occur due to contingency and imperfections as a feature of the cosmos e.g, deformities. J.L.Makie put forward the idea of the incosistent triad, which suggested that an omnibonevolent and omnipotent God cannont exist alongside evil. Therefore if the first two statments are true then the third is automatically false.

Augustine of hippo (chrisitan philosopher) based his theodicy on the creation stroy in the book of genesis, where Gods creation in the bible is described as good. Therefore Aquinas saw evil in the universe a 'privatio boni'(privation of good). He based his solution on 2 main assumptions, all creation is good and evil is the reusult of the misuse of free will. In his book 'The Enchiridion' he discusses the origin of evil. The first, natural evil came about through the fall of angels. God created all angels perfect, but with some reciving more grace than others, creating variety in the world. This lead the misuse of free will as they became envious of others and wanted to become 'lords of their own being'. This lead to the loss of order in nature, disharmoney shown in natural evils in the world. Secondly, moral evil came about through the fall of man. This is shown in the biblical narrative of adam and eve, who were…