The Problem of Evil: A Philosophical Discussion

[Voyageur]

Alright, I'm going to set some ground rules here. This is a philosophical discussion of Evil. We will analyze the concept of evil through the concept of God (by that, the Judeo-Christian-Islamic God) as an omniscient, omnipotent, all-benevolent and creative entity. We will also analyze the concept of evil as it relates to mankind.

Here are some rules we can follow to keep us all on subject:

1) No proseltyzing of your faith or lack of faith.
2) Keep it civil. No judging of the philosophical ideas contained herein according to faith/lack of faith or religious dogma. In other words, don't write an argument off because you have prior knowledge that the person arguing a point is theist, atheist or agnostic. Address the argument on its merits in a philosophical manner.
3) No ad hominem attacks.
4) Cite your sources, whether philosophical, biblical or literary.
- This will allow us all to cross-reference.
5) Keep it rational.

I'm interested in the multitude of ideas that attempt to explain the existence of and problem with evil.

 

[Voyageur]

For me, the Epicurean Paradox is persuasive in the matter of God and Evil. To quote The Epicurean Reader:

"God either wants to eliminate bad things and cannot, or can but does not want to, or neither wishes to nor can, or both wants to and can. If he wants to and cannot, he is weak -- and this does not apply to god. If he can but does not want to, then he is spiteful -- which is equally foreign to god's nature. If he neither wants to nor can, he is both weak and spiteful and so not a god. If he wants to and can, which is the only thing fitting for a god, where then do bad things come from? Or why does he not eliminate them?"

Children will ponder this apparent paradox if left to think freely.

David Hume, the Great Scottish philosopher, was sympathetic to the Epicurean Paradox as well. In a different translation of the Epicurean Paradox, which Hume paraphrased in Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Hume states:

"Is [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?"

 

[Vic C.]

:o

The Islamic god says we Christians, Jews and all they consider infidels (including you) are evil. There's nothing philosophical about that. 8-)

God is not a concept, Mr. Lennon.

Evil isn't a concept either.

No judging of the philosophical ideas contained herein according to faith/lack of faith or religious dogma. In other words, don't write an argument off because you have prior knowledge that the person arguing a point is theist, atheist or agnostic. Address the argument on its merits in a philosophical manner.

One cannot expect a convicted believer to simply disconnect themselves from their core beliefs.

No ad hominem attacks.

Agreed!

Keep it rational.

Good luck (if you believe in such a force as luck).

I'm interested in the multitude of ideas that attempt to explain the existence of and problem with evil.

No attack intended, but are you insinuating evil may not exist and if it does, there may not be a problem with it? ... and you want us to be rational? 8-)

 

[Vic C.]

Ok, I just read what you posted as I was composing my post.

We cannot allow this sort of discussion as it clearly allows one to "skirt" around the Site's ToS and SoF in an attempt to belittle Christianity and Christian beliefs, in the name of a philosophical discussion. :-?