Life concerns: why is evil happening to good people? What is the meaning of life if good people are rewarded with evil? What’s the essence of living a righteous life when we end up with evil?
Existence of evil is an absurd fact. It is contradicting that God exists and lets his people suffer. Evil is anything that is morally objected or undesired and is considered to bring harm or bad feelings among people. Evil ranges from natural calamities to diseases. Logically, evil is supposed to happen to bad people according to Paterson (1998). The fact that bad things happens to good people makes living in the right way worthless.
Every human being is faced by evil each day. No one is capable of evading evil since it is not planned for. When struck by evil, people tend to associate it to the mistakes they have committed that are against God’s will. Evil can occur to those considered righteous and do not deserve it according to Paterson (1998). Studying evil as a life problem will help people make informed choices when it comes to choosing between good and bad.
Evil is a concern to people’s lives because it remains unaccounted for. Philosophy tries to explain evil though its arguments end up with contradictions. Evil has a direct effect on how people live. When bad people see evil happen to good people, it makes their wrongdoings seem right. Also when evils strikes all, the bad people are blamed and condemned for bringing bad luck to society. This issue concerns both the good and bad people equally.
Solution to evil:
Non-normal evil arises from the natural environment. Such evil occurs to both good and bad in society John Hick (2006). In the solutions to this evil problem, Christopher Lotito (2001) argues that natural evil is caused by demons and other bad spirits. Therefore, both God and human are not responsible for evil. This helps in answering the questions asked by many about the power of God in controlling evil. Lotito purports that this kind of evil is neither within Gods power nor human power. It is argued that to counter the evil that happens to good people, a good event that is meant to overcome the evil is underway. This is one way God tries to make good people see that God is in control. Philosophers try to explain that since the demons and evil spirits work against God, God counters by overcoming the evil with good acts that come after evil.
This solution works well in making people understand the meaning of life. By understanding that the evil that happens to good people is not part of God’s plan for righteous people, life attains a purpose and stops being meaningless. Understanding the cause of evil also helps in clearing the wind about the evil happening to good people. As argued by John Hick (2006) the inconsistence of God’s existence and people suffering is addressed by this solution.
Alternative solution:
Other philosophers suggest that evil co exists with free will so as to govern people’s actions. Evil acts to control the free will choices that people make. According to Lotito, free will exists parallel to deterministic life. For free will to function, evil must exist to counter the bad choices that people make. This solution only accounts for the existence of evil but fails to explain why good people are involved whenever evil strikes. This makes it a weaker solution to the problem. Also, some philosophers argue that free will is compatible with deterministic life. This is contrary to this solution.
Although other solutions exist, the fact that evil is caused by demons and not God outstands as the only explanation that accounts for the evil that happens to good people. Other solutions just explain the existence of evil. Therefore, this solution helps restore the worth of living for those good people faced by evil.
Critique to the chosen solution
Arguments have been raised against the solution to no-normal or natural evil. It is claimed that God is all powerful in the universe; hence he should be able to control natural evil. Also, God should exercise his power and control evil. This premise fails to account the fact evil spirits act against the will of God and that God as not all powerful. God cannot control what is beyond his power. Therefore, He always counters evil with good acts to restore the meaning of life to people.
References
Beebe, J.R. (2005) Logical Problem of Evil. Available at: http://www.iep.utm.edu/evil-log/ (Accessed 14 August 2013)
Hick, J. (2006) Allowing For Evil. Available at: http://philosophy.lander.edu/intro/hick.shtml (Accessed 14 August 2013)
Lotito, C. (2001) Solution to the Problem of Evil. Available at: http://groups.drew.edu/philoso/Archives/Lotito/The%20Solution%20to%20the%20Problem%20of%20Evil.htm (Accessed 14 August 13)
McCloskey, H.J. (1960) God and Evil. Philosophical Quarterly 10.
Peterson, M.L. (1998) God and Evil: An Introduction to the Issue. Colorado
