general
What is the problem of evil in simple terms?
If God exists and is omnibenevolent, why do bad things happen to good people/without reason?
What was Confuscious's reasoning for why good people are afflicted with evil?
The two are completely unrelated to each other
Leibniz stated that bad things happen due to human free will; what phrase does he use to argue that this is a good thing?
God created "the best of all possible worlds"; the best thing for us is to have the choice to do good
What is an objection to Leibniz proposing that God does not desire certain evils but rather permits them?
Poses an "underachiever" problem
What is divine retribution?
being punished as a result of your sins
What did Hans Jonas say about evil and suffering?
You cannot have omnipotence without an opposing force; God gave up power to humans in the form of free will
How does Leibniz answer the problem of evil in terms of free will?
He claimed that exercising free will is a good thing and a world with it is the best of all possible worlds.
How might one object to Teresa's interpretation of the devil (regarding his "putting evil thought's in people's heads)?
Conflicts with free will; refusal to take accountability for one's actions.
Can you recall the propositions that Job's friends offered to account for his suffering?
Possible answers:
-God will improve his situation.
-He deserved punishment due to a sin he may have committed.
Why did Tolstoy believe should drive a person to keep going despite facing evil in this world?
Faith ("Faith is the force of life.")
What is the anti-theodicy approach to answering the question of evil in Islam?
God's actions are beyond our conception and do not need to be explained.
How might one object to Kierkegaard's belief of "taking a leap of faith," pertaining to any obfuscated knowledge?
It dodges the questions, rather than providing a logical chains of reasoning.
What did Kierkegaard say about arguments for the existence of God?
Real belief is determined by your ability to take a "leap of faith"
How did Saint Teresa of Ávila interpret suffering in her writings about God?
She used several analogies to talk about prayer (garden metaphor) as well as descriptions of pain (bridal mysticism/violent imagery)
What is the Pro-Theodicy approach to the question of evil in Islam?
"In all that He does, He intends benefit.” (p.385) God is all-just; bad things happen for "specific wise purposes" "deserved punishment" or will be "compensated" for
The book of Job presents a resounding objection to a popularized reason for evil and suffering. What is it? (Hint: His friends...)
Not all evil and suffering is contingent on retribution.
A believer's suffering is not a sign of wrong-doing.
What realization does Job reach after the suffering he faced?
Acceptable range of answers:
-Suffering can ultimately lead to moral fortitude and humility.
-Almighty God's decisions are beyond human comprehension.
-Whatever God grants, he can take away.
How does Cleanthes justify God's goodness despite evil?
He denies that the world is generally a miserable place - a small event does not make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.
Why might Leibniz's answer to the problem of evil pose circular logic?
He claims that the world is perfect as it was created by a perfect/good God, but there still evil in the world, which implies that God is not actually perfect/good.