PHL101Y1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Moral Evil, Standard-Definition Television, Theodicy
The Problem of Evil
Author: John Hick
Many people see the fact of evil and human suffering as the strongest argument against god.
We cannot escape this by saying evil is an illusion of the human mind
oEven things like the bible include good and evil (ex. Crucifixion)
There is no doubt that evil exists and stands in direct opposition to god's will
We cannot escape this by saying that god is doing the best he can because this ignores the
standard definition of monotheism
We cannot escape it by saying all evil is actually good and the good has become spoiled or
corrupted (higher and lesser goods)
oThis implies that evil is unreal
Theodicy points to certain considerations that prevent the fact of evil from a belief in god
There are two problems here.
oFirst, why did god permit moral evil to occur in his world
oSecond, why has god created a world where non-moral evil exists
First:
oTo be a person is to be free and this involves acting both right and wrong
oYou wouldn’t be a person if you were guaranteed to always act right
oIf our thoughts were predetermined however free we might seem, we wouldn’t be free
in the eyes of god
oOnly persons can become "children of god" who enter a personal relationship with god
uncompelled
oA lot of pain arises from inhumanity or incompetence of mankind
o(ex. Poverty, oppression, war)
oThese evils are manifestations of human sin
o"Even disease is fostered to an extent"
Second:
oThere are other evils that are entirely independent of the human will (ex. Earthquake,
hurricane, storm, etc.)
oGod's purpose in making the world was to provide a suitable place for a fully formed
creature
oThe world a place of "soul making" not paradise.
oIn a paradise: there would be no need to work or for concern with other people
oIn this paradise: we "would be very ill adapted for the development of the moral
qualities of human personality" this might be the world possible world
oThe world has to involve real dangers, difficulties, etc. for humans to overcome
oEx. Jesus had to accept his execution as he services to God
oThe Christian response to pain is to accept the adversities, pains and afflictions which
life brings, in order that they can be turned to a positive spiritual use.
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Document Summary
Many people see the fact of evil and human suffering as the strongest argument against god. We cannot escape this by saying evil is an illusion of the human mind o. Even things like the bible include good and evil (ex. There is no doubt that evil exists and stands in direct opposition to god"s will. We cannot escape this by saying that god is doing the best he can because this ignores the standard definition of monotheism. We cannot escape it by saying all evil is actually good and the good has become spoiled or corrupted (higher and lesser goods) o. Theodicy points to certain considerations that prevent the fact of evil from a belief in god. There are two problems here. o o. First, why did god permit moral evil to occur in his world. Second, why has god created a world where non-moral evil exists.
