This paper delves into the problem of evil with a critical analysis and evaluation of how it is purported to undermine the traditional distinctiveness of God. In fulfilling the requirements of the paper, I account for how the existence of evil undercuts the traditional distinctiveness of God like omnibenevolence, omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. The issue of evil has been a contentious one for philosophers and theists since the concept of God was regarded as an object of academic discourse. In analyzing the matters raised, the paper will borrow from Hume’s famous quote, is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”
An annotated bibliography of the sources used
Encyclopedia source
Beebe, James. Logical Problem of Evil? University of Buffalo. 2005. Web 28 Mar. 2012. https://www.iep.utm.edu/evil-log/
This source delves into the array of questions posed about a deity, the existence of evil and all the problems world-over that challenges the belief in a perfect God
Secondary sourceRosemann, P. W.?The Metaphysics of Good and Evil According to Suarez.? Irish Philosophical Journal. Volume 6 Issue 2. 1989. Web 28 Mar. 2012. https://www.pdcnet.org.ezproxy1.apus.edu/collection/authorizedshow?id=irishphil_ 1989_0006_0002_0314_0316&file_type=xml&q=evil
Primary Source
Locke, John. “The Origin of Ideas.” Philosophy Pages. Web 28 Mar. 2012. https://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4l.htm
The inclusion of ideas by this scholar is important as it discusses the possibility of legitimately
Knowing rather than speculating on what one wants to be real.
Pigache, Philippa. “Inheriting Atheism.” New Scientist 205.2754 (2010): 23. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Mar. 2012.
This journal source contains letter expressing various viewpoints on the evil and God and should therefore compliment the paper.
Discussion
The metaphysical and theological problem of evil was coined in 1779 through dialogues pertaining to Natural Religion. The question, ‘If God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent and omnipresent, then why does evil prevail’ was posed. This causes one to critically evaluate assumptions made about evil and examine keenly the traditional characteristics of God. One wonders why God would allow evil to prevail is he is as good and powerful as many monotheists believe. The problem of evil also illuminates concerns on what is considered evil, be it moral or natural (Beebe 9)
Consequently, different points of view have been developed in a rejoinder to the problem of evil. For instance, it is argued that evil is the result of human beings, who have the chance to do evil in order to obtain free will. Another famous argument posits that natural calamities are ways for man to learn, adapt and mature. A commonality in these arguments is the belief in life after death if not because evil deeds are rewarded in the afterlife, it is because Good shows good through evil. Traditionally, the monotheistic God is believed to possess distinctive characteristics, one of which is his omniscience. This implies that God is all-knowing with perceptions of all things that occurred in the past, present and future. Given this, it is assumed that God is aware of all evil, both natural and moral. Since evil still prevails, one can assume that he allows evil to happen. Yet another characteristic is God’s omnipresence; implying that he is everywhere at one time. This shows that God has the ability to see whatever happening world-over at the same time. With this, it must be aware that God is aware; and others go as far as to believe that he might have an influence in the prevailing of evil (Locke 17)
God is also traditionally believed to be omnipotent; to imply that he possesses infinite power and authority over everything. Given this, it is thought that God has the power to control anything that takes place, be it good or evil. Owing to this, it is easy for one to assume that God allows evil to prevail. It is also another traditional characteristic that God is intrinsically good and all-loving; that is omnibenevolent. This leads one to believe that God wants good of all human life. The question as to why God would allow humans to suffer if he was intrinsically good and all-loving comes to be (Pigache 21)
The existence of an omniscient, omnipotent and a morally perfect God entails is love for us all. However, his goodness to every individual, even the immoral monsters of the human civilization raises different aspects of evil. For instance, if God is morally perfect, why would he be good to individuals who perpetrate evil to his beloved? Resultant from this, some theists and philosophers hold that the traditional characteristics of God, in light of the basic existence of evil are subject to question. They argue that an all-loving and good God would be empathetic and not want to suffer under the evils of the world. An all-powerful God would stop evil from prevailing in the world.
An instance is given by theists and philosophers to back their arguments. The monotheistic God would have been present in Europe when Adolf Hitler ordered the massacre of the ‘undesirables’ in society since he is omnipresent. He would have seen the occurrence before hand and would have had the influence to impede it before it happened. However, for a reason unknown to humans, he allowed it to carry on unabated. The existence of moral evils such as the holocaust and genocides and natural evils like tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes undercut the traditional characteristics of God (Rosemann 25)
Conclusion
After weighing the information discussed above, three explanations are palpable for the existence of evil. Firstly, that the traditional monotheistic God is inexistent. Secondly, that he is not all we are told to believe he is or thirdly, that there is a legitimate reason for which he allows evil to prevail. If the first reason is true, then evil exists due to the imperfections of our world and humanity. If the second reason is veritable, then it must be that evil exists because the monotheistic God is totally different from what he is traditionally claimed to be. Finally, if the third explanation is palpable, there must be a valid reason for such an omnibenevolent, omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God to allow evil to prevail.
Works cited
Beebe, James. Logical Problem of Evil? University of Buffalo. 2005. Web 28 Mar. 2012. https://www.iep.utm.edu/evil-log/
Rosemann, P. W.?The Metaphysics of Good and Evil According to Suarez.? Irish Philosophical Journal. Volume 6 Issue 2. 1989. Web 28 Mar. 2012.https://www.pdcnet.org.ezproxy1. apus. edu/collection/authorizedshow?id=irishphil_1989_0006_0002_0314_0316&file _type= xml&q=evil
Locke, John. “The Origin of Ideas.” Philosophy Pages. Web 28 Mar. 2012. https://www.philosophypages.com/hy/4l.htm
Pigache, Philippa. “Inheriting Atheism.” New Scientist 205.2754 (2010): 23. Academic Search Premier. Web. 30 Mar. 2012.
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