Problem of Evil

Definition

The problem of evil is a philosophical and theological dilemma that questions how an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God can allow the existence of evil and suffering in the world. This challenge raises significant issues regarding the compatibility of faith with reason, the justification of miracles, and the nature of divine command and ethics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The problem of evil is often presented as a logical challenge, questioning whether the existence of evil can coexist with an omnipotent and benevolent deity.
2. Philosophers like Epicurus and later thinkers have articulated variations of this problem, emphasizing the tension between the characteristics attributed to God and the reality of suffering.
3. Responses to the problem include free will defenses, which argue that evil is a necessary consequence of allowing humans to have genuine freedom.
4. Different religious traditions offer unique interpretations and solutions to the problem of evil, shaping their beliefs about God's nature and moral responsibilities.
5. The emotional impact of suffering often leads individuals to reassess their beliefs about God, faith, and the nature of existence, making the problem of evil a central concern in religious discourse.

Review Questions

• How does the problem of evil challenge the coherence of traditional attributes ascribed to God?
  • The problem of evil challenges the coherence of traditional attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence by questioning how these characteristics can be reconciled with the presence of evil in the world. If God is all-powerful, He should be able to prevent evil; if He is all-knowing, He would be aware of it; and if He is all-good, He should desire to eliminate it. The existence of significant suffering thus raises doubts about the nature and role of God in relation to humanity.
• Discuss how free will defenses attempt to address the problem of evil and its implications for divine command theory.
  • Free will defenses argue that evil results from human choices rather than direct divine intervention, suggesting that a world with free agents capable of choosing good or evil is more valuable than one without free will. This perspective implies that God permits evil to maintain human autonomy, which is essential for genuine moral responsibility. In terms of divine command theory, this raises questions about whether moral obligations are grounded in God's commands if human freedom allows for disobedience leading to moral evil.
• Evaluate the impact of the problem of evil on religious belief systems and individual faith journeys.
  • The problem of evil significantly impacts religious belief systems by challenging adherents to reconcile their understanding of God with their experiences of suffering. For many individuals, encountering hardship can lead to a crisis of faith, prompting them to question their beliefs about divine goodness and justice. This struggle often results in a reevaluation of personal beliefs, leading some to strengthen their faith through deeper exploration while others may abandon their religious convictions altogether. Ultimately, how one confronts the problem shapes both individual spirituality and broader theological discussions within faith communities.

Related terms

Theodicy: A defense or justification of God's goodness in light of the existence of evil, often seeking to explain why a benevolent deity would permit suffering.

Moral Evil: Evil that results from human actions and decisions, as opposed to natural disasters or suffering caused by non-human entities.

Natural Evil: Evil that arises from natural events, such as earthquakes, diseases, and other calamities, which occur independently of human actions.