The presence of evil, pain and suffering in the world poses a philosophical threat to the existence of God and is the most persistent argument raised against one's belief. This problem of evil is not that there is evil in the world or the fact that there is no balance between the good and the evil, but can be stated as thus: how can there be a deity that is all good, all knowing and all powerful at the same time that evil exists? Before one can go about debating this topic, one must define the term "evil". Evil has a wide range of definitions but mainly there are two types: moral evil and natural evil. As stated by Professor Philip A. Pecorino in his book, "Introduction to Philosophy": "Moral evil covers the willful acts of human beings and natural evil refers to natural disasters such as famines and floods" (Pecorino, 3). According to the history of this issue, it is the moral evil that is the crux of the problem more than natural evil. It also states in the book, "Introduction to Philosophy for the Young People" written by Douglas McManaman that: "Evil is a deficiency, a deformity, or a lack of something that should be there" (McManaman, 133).
With this information at hand, one can continue to outline the problem. God is considered to be omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent and so the problem of evil arises when one combines these three philosophies and assigns these characteristics to God. For example, when one takes into account the fact that God is willing to prevent evil, but is unable to, would imply that God is not omnipotent and if God is able to stop the suffering and is willing to use his powers, but is unaware of the evil in the world suggests that God is not omniscient. Finally, if God is able to prevent the suffering, but is reluctant to do so and does not wish to assuage the pain, would infer that God is malevolent or at least less than perfectly good. Professor Philip A. Pecorino states that: "the problem of evil results from the apparent inconsistency or contradiction in a number of traits associated with the Supreme Being: God" (Pecorino, Ch.3 pg.2). Essentially, evil exists not in the account of God's existence, but rather the solution lies in the fall of mankind, Plato's theory of opposing pairs, and the famous philosophical concept, the Great Chain of Being.
[...] As stated by Professor Philip A. Pecorino in his book, “Introduction to Philosophy”: “Moral evil covers the willful acts of human beings and natural evil refers to natural disasters such as famines and floods” (Pecorino, 3). According to the history of this issue, it is the moral evil that is the crux of the problem more than natural evil. It also states in the book, “Introduction to Philosophy for the Young People” written by Douglas McManaman that: “Evil is a deficiency, a deformity, or a lack of something that should be there” (McManaman, 133). [...]
[...] When one transforms the idea of evil, it logically follows that God is not the creator of evil, but evil is just the lack of something good. A different approach to confront this problem of evil involves atheism or the disbelief in the existence of a deity. Greek Philosopher, Epicurus makes a remarkably bold statement: God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? [...]
[...] On a further note, evil can be considered as a part of the overall good and does not exist in itself. This world and all things in it is illusory and what remains is the soul and the life one has after death. German philosopher, Gottfried Willhelm Leibnitz quotes: “there is temporary evil for the greater good” (Gottfried Willhelm Leibnitz, 1646-1716). This view of evil views each human as a contingent being partaking in freewill and that all the evil, pain and suffering that takes place is a means of some greater good caused by God. [...]
[...] In conclusion, by adding these extra propositions, it logically follows that God exists and at the same time as evil. Citations Pecorino, Philip A. Perspectives on Death and Dying. Lexington, MA: Ginn Custom Publ McManaman, Douglas. Introduction to Philosophy for Young People. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Mackie, J. L. The Miracle of Theism: Arguments for and against the Existence of God. Oxford,: Clarendon Russell, Paul. [...]
[...] order to create creatures that are freely capable of committing morally good acts, He must also create creatures that are simultaneously just as capable of committing morally evil acts” (Pecorino, and he can give these creatures the freedom to perform evil and at the same time prevent them from doing so. Continuing his defense, Plantinga explains that some of the free creatures that God had created went wrong in the exercise of their freedom. This is the source of moral evil. [...]
APA Style reference
For your bibliographyOnline reading
with our online readerContent validated
by our reading committee
