The Problem of Evil
Hume and the Problem of Evil:
• In ‘Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion’, Hume sets out the Problem of
Evil (citing Epicurus)
• J.L Mackie created the Inconsistent Triad (Miracle of Theism, 1982) in
order to portray the problem: God is all good, God is all powerful, Evil
exists.
• The Logical ‘Problem of Evil’ is this: If God were all powerful he would be
able to stop suffering. If God were all loving he would want to stop
suffering. Evil and suffering exist. Therefore, God does not exist.
• This could be seen as a false dilemma = a limited number of options is
given, while in reality there are more options/ (illegitimate use of word
“or”). Eg. you’re for me or against me.
Plantinga and the Logical Problem of Evil:
• Consensus amongst philosophers that the logical problem of evil was
successfully refuted by Alvin Plantinga in ‘God, Freedom and Evil’
(1974).
• Plantinga argues that as long as there is a POSSIBLE reason why an
omnipotent, omni-benevolent God would allow evil, there is no logical
contradiction.
Theodicy = An explanation for evil which defends God from
blame.
Epicurus (341-270 BC) outlined the trilemma of the problem of evil.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) - Searching for an answer to the
problem of evil was part of his reason for becoming Christian.
How Augustine deals with the Problem of Evil:
1. ‘Evil exists’ as a “privation of the good”
• Privation means more than just ‘lack’, but lack where something out to be.
• In Enchiridion Augustine teaches evil only exists in good things like a
parasite.
• Disorder of good virtues eg. Lust is disordered love of something good.
2. Augustine qualifies ‘God is all powerful’ with human
free will
• Free Will Defence: Evil brought about directly by free agents choosing a
“lesser good.” First the angels fell, then later Adam and Eve.
• Thus Augustine believes in a historical Fall. (Biblical (Genesis) foundation)
• Supported by Aquinas: Even God cannot do self-contradictory things.
, • Essentially, God wanted to create free persons, thus He had to allow
for the possibility of evil.
3. He qualifies ‘God is good’ with God punishes sin
• Natural evil is a result of moral evil.
• Everyone is punished for Adam’s sin because all people were ‘seminally’
present “in the loins of Adam”. This is called original sin.
• Demons (fallen angels) can also cause natural evil.
Criticisms of Augustinian Theodicy:
• There are some stumbling blocks for modern people:
1. Scientific problems:
a) theory of evolution - contradicts idea that natural evil came from moral
evil. Natural evil (survival of the fittest) is part of the evolutionary
process.
b) Idea that all people came from 1 human couple is unscientific
c) Demons causing natural disasters = no evidence of demons and
unscientific.
2. Concept of Original Sin:
a) Offends modern sense of justice and individualism
b) How can free will exist and be compatible with concept of original
sin?
c) Compounded by the idea of ‘predestination’
Strengths of Augustine:
1. Evil is at least to some extent a result of free will.
2. The idea that evil is not a substance. Brian Davies supports this,
describes evil as “a gap between what there is and what there ought to
be.”
3. ‘Epigenetics’ support, idea that our nature might be “bound” in a
certain way genetically (could be compatible with evolution - ‘selfish
gene’). This is actually a reflection of evolution as the repeatedly
reinforced behaviour of past generations (their inherent tendencies
towards self-centred and destructive behaviour) has repressed our
altruistic genes. Hence being ‘bound’ to tend a certain way.
• John Hick’s Irenaean Theodicy:
John Hick (1922-2012):
• Book: ‘Evil and the God of love’ (1968)
• Reworks ideas of Irenaeus (130-202AD) to formulate a theodicy.
• Prefers Irenaean theodicy to Augustinian.
Hume and the Problem of Evil:
• In ‘Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion’, Hume sets out the Problem of
Evil (citing Epicurus)
• J.L Mackie created the Inconsistent Triad (Miracle of Theism, 1982) in
order to portray the problem: God is all good, God is all powerful, Evil
exists.
• The Logical ‘Problem of Evil’ is this: If God were all powerful he would be
able to stop suffering. If God were all loving he would want to stop
suffering. Evil and suffering exist. Therefore, God does not exist.
• This could be seen as a false dilemma = a limited number of options is
given, while in reality there are more options/ (illegitimate use of word
“or”). Eg. you’re for me or against me.
Plantinga and the Logical Problem of Evil:
• Consensus amongst philosophers that the logical problem of evil was
successfully refuted by Alvin Plantinga in ‘God, Freedom and Evil’
(1974).
• Plantinga argues that as long as there is a POSSIBLE reason why an
omnipotent, omni-benevolent God would allow evil, there is no logical
contradiction.
Theodicy = An explanation for evil which defends God from
blame.
Epicurus (341-270 BC) outlined the trilemma of the problem of evil.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430) - Searching for an answer to the
problem of evil was part of his reason for becoming Christian.
How Augustine deals with the Problem of Evil:
1. ‘Evil exists’ as a “privation of the good”
• Privation means more than just ‘lack’, but lack where something out to be.
• In Enchiridion Augustine teaches evil only exists in good things like a
parasite.
• Disorder of good virtues eg. Lust is disordered love of something good.
2. Augustine qualifies ‘God is all powerful’ with human
free will
• Free Will Defence: Evil brought about directly by free agents choosing a
“lesser good.” First the angels fell, then later Adam and Eve.
• Thus Augustine believes in a historical Fall. (Biblical (Genesis) foundation)
• Supported by Aquinas: Even God cannot do self-contradictory things.
, • Essentially, God wanted to create free persons, thus He had to allow
for the possibility of evil.
3. He qualifies ‘God is good’ with God punishes sin
• Natural evil is a result of moral evil.
• Everyone is punished for Adam’s sin because all people were ‘seminally’
present “in the loins of Adam”. This is called original sin.
• Demons (fallen angels) can also cause natural evil.
Criticisms of Augustinian Theodicy:
• There are some stumbling blocks for modern people:
1. Scientific problems:
a) theory of evolution - contradicts idea that natural evil came from moral
evil. Natural evil (survival of the fittest) is part of the evolutionary
process.
b) Idea that all people came from 1 human couple is unscientific
c) Demons causing natural disasters = no evidence of demons and
unscientific.
2. Concept of Original Sin:
a) Offends modern sense of justice and individualism
b) How can free will exist and be compatible with concept of original
sin?
c) Compounded by the idea of ‘predestination’
Strengths of Augustine:
1. Evil is at least to some extent a result of free will.
2. The idea that evil is not a substance. Brian Davies supports this,
describes evil as “a gap between what there is and what there ought to
be.”
3. ‘Epigenetics’ support, idea that our nature might be “bound” in a
certain way genetically (could be compatible with evolution - ‘selfish
gene’). This is actually a reflection of evolution as the repeatedly
reinforced behaviour of past generations (their inherent tendencies
towards self-centred and destructive behaviour) has repressed our
altruistic genes. Hence being ‘bound’ to tend a certain way.
• John Hick’s Irenaean Theodicy:
John Hick (1922-2012):
• Book: ‘Evil and the God of love’ (1968)
• Reworks ideas of Irenaeus (130-202AD) to formulate a theodicy.
• Prefers Irenaean theodicy to Augustinian.
