The Problem of Evil

 

The Problem of Evil: Crash Course Philosophy #13

Introduction

The problem of evil is the philosophical question of how to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God.  

The above video from Crash Course Philosophy gives an introduction to the problem of evil.  The following are some other videos that introduce the problem of evil:

• Philosophy Vibe - The problem of evil (and the existence of God) 
• https://youtu.be/FfjrJH9PNPA?si=VCrEqsmZq7v40kyG
• This video presents the following defences or theodicies:
• The Augustinian Theodicy
• Irenaean (Soul Making) Theodicy
• The Free Will Defence Argument

Theodicies

The following videos present different defences or theodicies:

• Alex O'Connor - Free Will (defence), Souls, and the Problem of Evil | Richard Swinburne
• https://youtu.be/8Y3PtkyhOiU?si=0EhzNayO5dQckq3L
• Philosophy Vibe - Free Will Defence - Does it Solve the Problem of Evil?
• https://youtu.be/bIoN-CTwjAU?si=K0QeQyQA-zPepBEJ
• Philosophy Vibe - Leibniz - Best of all Possible Worlds Argument (Explained and Debated) 
• https://youtu.be/K8PNhJZrDlY?si=demit9KdbC6Vxylf
• Untangle Philosophy - John Hick & the Soul-Making Theodicy
• https://youtu.be/FUDmovWczng?si=5LsIo-O3oOm4Ze4g
• Untangle Philosophy - Augustine’s Theodicy | Free Will, Fallen Angels & Original Sin 
• https://youtu.be/fQZ9soVdcq0?si=OGOEhU_Ip0swOSzC
  

The arguments

The following videos present the arguments relating to the problem of evil.

• Wireless Philosophy - Philosophy: the problem of evil part 1
• https://youtu.be/V4z9Y2u30Qs?si=O2VQrqAN0Eku6MEb
• Wireless Philosophy - Philosophy: the problem of evil part 2
• https://youtu.be/prWSGbDW3LU?si=qDCNY1qOS3RIf0yM
• Wireless Philosophy - Philosophy: the problem of evil part 3
• https://youtu.be/L67dlpMgDa4?si=AT7tqTNULYwcy52U
  

Further readings

1. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Logical Problem of Evil - https://iep.utm.edu/evil-log/
2. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - The Problem of Evil - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/
3. Wikipedia - The problem of evil - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_of_evil
4. Wikipedia - Theodicy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodicy

Some Questions

1. Free Will is one of the explanations for the problem of evil.  Is evil necessary for the existence of free will?  Can't one choose between different good options?  
2. Christians believe there is no evil or suffering in heaven.  Since God allows people to have Free Will, Free Will must be good.  If Free Will is good, people would have Free Will in heaven.  Since it is possible to have Free Will in heaven where there is no evil and suffering, then evil and suffering and Free Will can co-exist.  Does that mean Free Will is not a good defence for the problem of evil?
3. One explanation of the existence of evil and suffering on earth is that Adam and Eve disobeyed God and therefore God allows evil and suffering to exist on earth.  If the reason for evil and suffering is because God wishes to punish humans, then why are there so much evil and suffering?  The punishment does not seem to be proportional to the misdemeanour.
4. One explanation of the existence of evil and suffering on earth is that they are caused by Satan, a fallen angel.  However, since God is omnipotent, why does God allow Satan to exist?
5. A defence of the existence of evil and suffering is that humans are not able to understand God's reasons for allowing evil to exist.  It appears that God had created a universe with natural laws and God does not interfere with the day to day running of the world.  If that is the belief, is it still reasonable to believe in an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God who is in control of all things on earth?