Beyond the Problem of Evil Essay - 6495 Words

Beyond the Problem of Evil Introduction: The problem of evil is, in my opinion, the best point of departure for a fruitful dialogue between Christianity, traditionally conceived, and those strands of modern philosophy which have been perceived--indeed, have sometimes perceived themselves--as a threat to that tradition. As such, I will attempt first, to outline the problem of evil in the starkest terms possible, presenting Augustines approach to its solution followed by a critical analysis; second, to present an alternative approach to the questions which give rise to the problem--an approach derived in large part from Spinoza and Nietzsche; and, third, to show how this more philosophically acceptable alternative can be expressed†¦show more content†¦Both horns of this dilemma are impious, but particularly the latter (1.1.1). His approach to a solution to this problem is three-pronged: 1) he holds that evil is a privation and cannot be properly said to exist at all; 2) he argues that the apparent imper fection of any part of creation disappears in light of the perfection of the whole; and 3) he argues that the origin of moral evil, together with that suffering which is construed as punishment for sin, is to be found in the free choice of the will of rational creatures. As a Manachee, Augustine believed that both God and the principle of evil were some sort of material substances, neither deriving its existence from the other. Evil, although somehow *smaller* than God, was, nevertheless, infinite and presented a real problem for God to overcome in the course of his cosmic existence. He describes his motives for believing such things as follows: piety (however bizarre some of my beliefs were) forbade me to believe that the good God had created an evil nature (*Confessions* 5.10.20). Even after Augustine had abandoned these bizarre beliefs of the Manachees and had, as a Christian, arrived at the notion of God as an immutable, spiritual substance, the existence of evil still troubled him for: Although I affirmed and firmly held divine immunity from pollution and change and the complete immutability of our God, the true God . . . yet IShow MoreRelatedThe Logical Problem Of Evil1535 Words   |  7 PagesThe logical problem of evil is often referred to as the inconsistent triad, this being that the following propositions; God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent and evil exists, are inconsistent. Also known as a reduction ad absurdum argument, whereby all three propositions cannot be true together. Theists, like Swinburne, come to the conclusion that the three propositions are compatible with one another, whereas atheists, like Mackie, believe that they are incompatible and therefore God does not existRead MoreNietzsche And Nietzsche On The Rationality Of Religious Belief1308 Words   |  6 Pagesand that these religious beliefs lack a rational and strong foundation. He thought mature people approach a rational reasoning on religion Freud believes that there is no place for religion in our modern world today since it is already corrupted with evil. His view of our psychological role of beliefs and religion brings attention to a guilt feeling one feels helpless and the first though that comes to his mind is that God is a just reflection of the subconscious mind. On the other hand, Nietzsche believesRead MoreThe Theory Of The Design Argument1201 Words   |  5 PagesEssay 3: Are there reasons beyond the goal of soul-building and the goal of giving us free will that an all-PKG God would have for allowing evil to exist? If so, would that solve the problem of evil? I believe that an all-PKG God does not have reasons for allowing evil to exist beyond the goal of soul-building and giving us free will. Although God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, soul-building and free will can cover a multitude of reasons why he would allow evil. One soul-building reasonRead MoreEternal Damnation, Lake Of Fire And Brimstone, And Gehenna1075 Words   |  5 Pagesdeals with larger problem of evil and the importance of free will. In dealing with doctrine of eternal damnation, Walls introduces the notion that it is more than just describing an abyss separated from God. It is involved with the entirety of the problem of evil. Hell, as defined, is an eternal evil. 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The problems of free will areRead MoreWriting Style Used : Mla912 Words   |  4 PagesHamartiology: The Problem of Evil Hamartiology, also known as the doctrine of sin, has been debated for centuries due to the confusion about the existence of evil in the world God created. This doctrine is more than an explanation for the problem of evil, but it affects our relationship with our all-powerful, all-loving God. The problem of evil, indeed, is an issue that objects to the belief of God s existence. Being the label for a series of problems involving God and evil, evil is seen in manyRead MoreThe Lord Of The Flies1468 Words   |  6 Pagesidea of human evil is at least partly based on Golding’s experience with the real-life violence and brutality of World War II. Free from the rules and structures of civilization and society, the boys on the island in Lord of the Flies descend into savagery. Golding’s experience in World War II had a profound effect on his view of humanity and the evils of which it was capable. Although Golding’s story is confined to the microcosm of a group of boys, it resounds with implications far beyond the boundsRead MoreThe Logical Problem Of Evil Essay1225 Words   |  5 PagesIn this paper I will discuss the logical problem of evil and how it seems to reject the existence of God as an omni-3 being. I will first layout the logical problem of evi l, and then I will explain why it succeeds in disproving the existence of God. I do this through pointing out the contradictions between the definition of God as an omni-3 being and the problem of redeemed and unredeemed evil. As well as by proving that admittance of evil in any way when in reference to the choices of God invalidatesRead More Ursula LeGuins The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas Essay1075 Words   |  5 PagesOmelas is an attempt to explain the problem of evil. Collins writes the narrative justifies or makes sense of a painful aspect of theodicy(527). The question of the problem of evil is summed up in three statements: God is good, God is omnipotent and omniscient, and there is evil. The existence of evil is usually accepted as a given. If God is good, but not omnipotent, he wants to stop evil, but cannot. If God is omnipotent, but not good, he could stop evil, but would not. In Christianity, howeverRead MoreThere Is A Reason Why God Allows Evil1016 Words   |  5 P agesIn John Hick’s piece â€Å"There is a Reason Why God Allows Evil†, he explains his view on the roots of evil. Hick brings up the problem of an all-loving God that allows evil to occur in the world. The conclusion that arises God must not be all loving then. However, Hick explains that humans free will is the problem that leads to evil. A few strengths that Hick has in his argument is the laws of nature, he mentions that they â€Å"†¦would have to be extremely flexible; sometimes gravity would operate, sometimes