PHI 413 Test 2 GUARANTEED PASS!!
Understand the difference between the rational and existential problem of evil -
(ANSWER)Rational problem: can be broken down into 2 forms (logical and evidential) This
deals with evil in the more abstract.
Existential problem: (relating to existence) how we experience the problem of evil with others
Recall what considerations we discussed for relating in love to those suffering or wrestling with
the existential problem of evil. - (ANSWER)DON'T try to minimize a friend's pain, say 'I'm
sorry" and end the sentence, try to answer the question 'why?' say "is there anything I can do to
help?" put timetables on recovery, quote Bible verses as a way to minimize or correct someone's
feelings or to make yourself comfortable
DO offer simple statements of understanding, say "I'm sorry" but add something like "I'm
available whenever you need something"
Two forms of the rational problem of evil - (ANSWER)1. Logical
2. Evidential
Logical problem of evil - (ANSWER)5 Step argument
1) an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnibenevolent being has the power and knowledge to prevent
all evil
2) An O-O-O being has the motivation to prevent all evil
3) An O-O-O being would prevent all evil from existing (God would never have a good reason to
allow evil)
4) So, if evil exists, then an O-O-O being does not exist
5) Evil exists.
Therefore, an O-O-O being does not exist!
Evil in classical theology - (ANSWER)Evil is a privation or a lack of good. It cannot be created
[Therefore since it has no substance, it does not truly exist]
Most common response to the problem of evil: - (ANSWER)Evil may be permitted to enable a
greater good
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, Definition of Theodicy - (ANSWER)a defense or justification for God allowing evil
Danger of giving a full justification of evil? [Why N.T. right thinks that approach is
wrongheaded] - (ANSWER)In doing so we may minimize others experience with evil. No one
should try to fully justify the holocaust... But when we attempt a full justification we are saying
that evil is an instrumental good and therefore it is not really evil but good. We imply that in
some cases the end justifies the means and no one would dare say that to a holocaust survivor...
3 "greater good" justifications for allowing evil - (ANSWER)1) Skeptical theism: God's reasons
may be beyond knowing. the absence of evil does not equal the evidence of absence
2) Soul making theodicy: Evil is necessary in making creatures better, aka process and progress.
3) Free will defense: human and other freedom is worth the cost of permitting evil in the world
William Rowe's challenge to Skeptical Theism - (ANSWER)As far as we can tell, there is no
reason that we can come up with that would justify God allowing evil so it is just as likely that
there is not such reason. God has no reason for permitting evil.
Difference between Soul-making theodicy and free will defense - (ANSWER)Soul-making
theodicy says that evil is instrumental and necessary to bring about good, whereas the free will
defense just requires evil to be permitted to enable the greater good of human freedom
How to use the G.E. Moore Shift in responding to the problem of evil: - (ANSWER)You start
with:
God would only permit things for a good reason->> There is no good reason to permit evil-
>>Evil exists->>
Therefore God does NOT exist!
SHIFT IT!
And you get:
God exists->> God would only permit things for a good reason->> Evil exists->>
therefore, there must be a good reason to permit evil!
Evidential problem of evil and gratuitous evil - (ANSWER)Gratuitous evil: wholly unjustified,
does not enable the greater good, i.e. Holocaust
The evidential problem is not just about evil, but the kind, quantity, or quality of it and there is a
big problem with gratuitous evil.
Which form merely suggests that it is reasonable to believe God does not exist. Not intended to
be a conclusive disproof of God's existence. - (ANSWER)Evidential form
->>There exists instances of intense suffering which God could have prevented without losing
some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse
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Understand the difference between the rational and existential problem of evil -
(ANSWER)Rational problem: can be broken down into 2 forms (logical and evidential) This
deals with evil in the more abstract.
Existential problem: (relating to existence) how we experience the problem of evil with others
Recall what considerations we discussed for relating in love to those suffering or wrestling with
the existential problem of evil. - (ANSWER)DON'T try to minimize a friend's pain, say 'I'm
sorry" and end the sentence, try to answer the question 'why?' say "is there anything I can do to
help?" put timetables on recovery, quote Bible verses as a way to minimize or correct someone's
feelings or to make yourself comfortable
DO offer simple statements of understanding, say "I'm sorry" but add something like "I'm
available whenever you need something"
Two forms of the rational problem of evil - (ANSWER)1. Logical
2. Evidential
Logical problem of evil - (ANSWER)5 Step argument
1) an Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnibenevolent being has the power and knowledge to prevent
all evil
2) An O-O-O being has the motivation to prevent all evil
3) An O-O-O being would prevent all evil from existing (God would never have a good reason to
allow evil)
4) So, if evil exists, then an O-O-O being does not exist
5) Evil exists.
Therefore, an O-O-O being does not exist!
Evil in classical theology - (ANSWER)Evil is a privation or a lack of good. It cannot be created
[Therefore since it has no substance, it does not truly exist]
Most common response to the problem of evil: - (ANSWER)Evil may be permitted to enable a
greater good
Page 1 of 10
, Definition of Theodicy - (ANSWER)a defense or justification for God allowing evil
Danger of giving a full justification of evil? [Why N.T. right thinks that approach is
wrongheaded] - (ANSWER)In doing so we may minimize others experience with evil. No one
should try to fully justify the holocaust... But when we attempt a full justification we are saying
that evil is an instrumental good and therefore it is not really evil but good. We imply that in
some cases the end justifies the means and no one would dare say that to a holocaust survivor...
3 "greater good" justifications for allowing evil - (ANSWER)1) Skeptical theism: God's reasons
may be beyond knowing. the absence of evil does not equal the evidence of absence
2) Soul making theodicy: Evil is necessary in making creatures better, aka process and progress.
3) Free will defense: human and other freedom is worth the cost of permitting evil in the world
William Rowe's challenge to Skeptical Theism - (ANSWER)As far as we can tell, there is no
reason that we can come up with that would justify God allowing evil so it is just as likely that
there is not such reason. God has no reason for permitting evil.
Difference between Soul-making theodicy and free will defense - (ANSWER)Soul-making
theodicy says that evil is instrumental and necessary to bring about good, whereas the free will
defense just requires evil to be permitted to enable the greater good of human freedom
How to use the G.E. Moore Shift in responding to the problem of evil: - (ANSWER)You start
with:
God would only permit things for a good reason->> There is no good reason to permit evil-
>>Evil exists->>
Therefore God does NOT exist!
SHIFT IT!
And you get:
God exists->> God would only permit things for a good reason->> Evil exists->>
therefore, there must be a good reason to permit evil!
Evidential problem of evil and gratuitous evil - (ANSWER)Gratuitous evil: wholly unjustified,
does not enable the greater good, i.e. Holocaust
The evidential problem is not just about evil, but the kind, quantity, or quality of it and there is a
big problem with gratuitous evil.
Which form merely suggests that it is reasonable to believe God does not exist. Not intended to
be a conclusive disproof of God's existence. - (ANSWER)Evidential form
->>There exists instances of intense suffering which God could have prevented without losing
some greater good or permitting some evil equally bad or worse
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