For many, this evidence appears decisive, because if God existed, he would be powerful enough to prevent such evil, and good enough to want to prevent such evil. If we are honest with ourselves we often get it wrong. Throughout the history of Christianity, the presence of evil in the world has stood in stark contrast to the Christian claim of an omnipotent, infinitely good God. The problem of evil is certainly the greatest obstacle to belief in the existence of God. The Problem of Evil takes the following form: A God that is all powerful would be able to prevent evil and suffering. Updates? Professor Emeritus of Religion, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK. The problem of evil is the question whether evil exists, and if so does it disprove the existence of God. Other solutions to the problem include John Hick’s (1977) soul-making theodicy. We all (at least those of us in the Western World) recognize evil as a problem and want an answer for it. then is he malevolent. The problem of evil is certainly the greatest obstacle to belief in the existence of God. whence then is evil?” Since well before Hume’s time, the problem has been the basis of a positive argument for atheism: If God exists, then he is omnipotent and perfectly good; a perfectly good being would eliminate evil as far as it could; there is no limit to what an omnipotent being can do; therefore, if God exists, there would be no evil in the world; there is evil in the world; therefore, God does not exist. An argument from evil attempts to show that the co-existence of evil and such a God is unlikely or impossible. Is he able, but not willing? In the philosophy of religion and theology, the problem of evil is the question of whether evil exists and, if so, why. Religious believers have had recourse to two main strategies. It is my opinion, I own, replied Demea, that each man feels, in a manner, the truth of religion within his own breast, and, from a consciousness of his imbecility and misery, rather than from any reasoning, is led to seek protection from that Being, on whom he and all nature is dependent. ; There is evil in the world. Start studying The Problem of Evil. If God exists and is... Epicurus, bronze bust from a Greek original. God cannot give beings free will and not allow them to use it wrongly (that’s as logical as it gets). https://www.britannica.com/topic/problem-of-evil, The Basics of Philosophy - Philosophy of Religion, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - The Problem of Evil, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Logical Problem of Evil. There are smart people who have offered lengthy defenses of God against the problem of evil. The question is whether the premises are true and so, whether the conclusi… Instead, Hick claims that huma… By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In the philosophy of religion, the problem of evil is the question of how to reconcile the existence of evil with that of a deity who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent (see theism). Syllogism. About the Reviewer(s): Mark S. M. Scott is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Thorneloe University at the University of Laurentian. The problem of evil is the notion that, how can an all good, powerful, loving God exists when evil seems to exist also. Problem Of Evil. The Problem of Evil “The traditional arguments for the existence of God have been fairly thoroughly criticized by philosophers. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Perhaps the most difficult issue concerning the relation between morality and … But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too--for the argument depended on saying the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my fancies. The question particularly arises in religions that propose the existence of a deity who is omnibenevolent while simultaneously also being omnipotent, and omniscient. Often the reality of evil is treated as canceling out whatever evidence there may be that God exists—e.g., as set forth in the argument from design, which is based on an analogy between the apparent design discerned in the cosmos and the design involved in human artifacts. Atheists have tried unsuccessfully to identify a mechanism by which the world could have made itself. Thus, Hume devotes much of the earlier parts of his Dialogues to attacking the argument from design, which was popular in the 18th century. 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