What Is The Problem Of Evil

One of the oldest dilemmas in philosophy is also one of the greatest threats to Christian theology. The problem of evil simultaneously perplexes the world’s greatest minds and yet remains palpably close to the hearts of the most common people. If God is good, then why is there evil? The following essay describes the problem of evil in relation to God, examines Christian responses to the problem, and concludes the existence of God and the existence of evil are fully compatible.

The argument for the existence of God has been a debate for many centuries. God, in terms of philosophy, must be a supernatural being that: is all-knowing, is all-powerful, and is all-good. Theists believe God exists based on these terms; atheists on the other hand don’t believe in God. Atheists believe that if there is evil present in the universe, then there is no possible way God can exist if he is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. Evil is defined in three different categories: human evil (evil we humans cause), natural evil (not in our control, of the Earth), and sufferings of the heart (not necessarily human/natural evil). The argument for the problem of evil is that God doesn’t exist because evil exists. In

In this paper, I will break apart J. L. Mackie’s stern defense of the logical problem of evil, which he uses to suggest the God does not exist. I will attempt to defend the notion that both God and evil, in the form of human creation, can exist in the world by way of suggesting that freewill is the answer. Furthermore, I will strengthen the argument for freewill against Mackie’s defense, which suggests that the argument of freewill also compromises the Omni-three nature of God. In part, I will back freewill by using Mackie’s own logic against him. In its totality, I will build up a strong force against the logical problem of evil, leaving room for both the existence of human formed evil and God in this world under the

A common phrase that many people learn in their youth is “never judge a book by its cover.” This figure of speech is usually meant to teach others to give something a chance before immediately dismissing it; however, the phrase can also take on a darker interpretation and be used as a warning to not trust everything that meets the eye. Miss Adela Strangeworth in Shirley Jackson’s “The Possibility of Evil” lives up to the dark irony of that phrase as the story unfolds. Jackson uses irony throughout many elements of her story to illustrate how evil can be masked by an amiable façade.

When we are discussing the problem of evil, we are specifically discussing a God that is omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly good. A God that is perfectly good would not allow suffering to exist, and any minute amount of suffering that exists disproves God’s existence. Unless, the suffering is justified with an adequate reason. However, even then there seems to be large amounts of evil in the world that seems unnecessary for any good reason. By evil and suffering I mean death, pain, and disease. I will be using these terms interchangeably. In the problem of evil, many arguments are placed in order to find a justification for the evil that exists. However,

An argument against the existence of God is based on the presence of evil in the world. This deductively valid argument is divided into two categories; human action and natural evil (Sober, 2005, p. 120). Human action discusses how experiences makes us better people, while natural evil are tragic events that are not under the control of humans. Each category is used as evidence to refute God as an all-powerful omniscient, omnibenevolent, or omnipotent being. In order to understand the strengths of this argument, it is important for an overall assessment of how the presence of evil questions if a Supreme Being actually exists, by arguing why a being of all-good would allow evil, importance of evil in a good world, and questioning God’s intervention in evil.

The problem of evil is the notion that, how can an all-good, all-powerful, all-loving God exists when evil seems to exist also. The problem of evil also gives way to the notion that if hell exists then God must be evil for sending anyone there. I believe both of these ideas that God can exist while there is evil and God is not evil for sending anyone to hell. I believe hell exists in light of the idea that God is holy and just. The larger is how anyone can go to heaven. I will try to answer the problem of evil with regards to the problem of heaven and hell.

The problem of evil as suffering is a problem of what to do with the obstacle for the believer but also an obstacle to unbeliever to converge because they do not think it harmonising. In contradiction to compatibility, an atheist often suggested that the present of evil entails the absence of God. Atheist argued, if God exists, then as an omnipotent, he is able to prevent the evil occurrence. For omniscient, it implies under any circumstances evil will occur if he does not act. Then, being perfectly good, he will prevent its occurrence and so evil will not exist. Based on this above proclamation, the existence of God does not compatible with the evil of whatever kind. However, theists response to this logical problem of evil by an atheist is that necessarily perfectly good being, foreseeing the occurrence of evil and able to prevent it, will prevent evil. The essay will first, define what evil is according to Swinburne as one of the philosopher of religion, Second, Swinburne four categories of evil will be discussed (Physical evil, mental evil, state evil, moral evil). Third, Phillip logical and existential problem evil will be discussed through. How will all these above assertions be a problem to those that and does not believe in God.

with some evil in it. Better? Why would God being so good and concerned about

In the Possibility of evil this book has very many twist and turns all through out this story . With revenge and karma just around the corner. In the Possibility of Evil by shirley jackson it is clear that what goes around comes around comes because she wrote mean letter to her neighbors, which caused them to cut down and destroy her garden; but she was also mean and rude to the kids in her neighborhood. The counter claim in this story is treat other the way you want to be treated. In this story the theme is what goes around comes around, and karma coming back at you.

In the short story “The Possibility of Evil,” by Shirley Jackson used several symbols to tell the story about Miss Strangeworth. One symbol used in the story are the roses. The roses represent something valuable to Miss.Strangeworth, the roses are like her little kids and they have a sentimental meaning to her because their from her great grandmother. She also used the symbol Pleasant Street which seems like that street is full of nice people and nice houses. The Third symbol is the title, in the title it gives you a hint of what the story might be and it might be about evil and it was. By using all these symbols, Shirley Jackson achieves to tell a good story about Miss.strangeworth. Artists use symbols because it helps telling a story and

We all like to look at things that appeal our preferences. But sometimes, appearances can deceive us, such as a good deal you may see. One common example would be online shopping. The price that is offered upfront is very appealing, all until it comes down to the final cost after including shipping and handling, taxes, or any other unmentioned expenses. Or maybe a movie that has an interesting trailer, but the actual film as a whole was not as good as it appeared to be. Instead of judging at first glance, one should first investigate and then make a decision after their analysis. The main characters in the short stories “Lamb to the Slaughter”, by Roald Dahl and, “The Possibility of Evil”, by Shirley Jackson, should have known this lesson. In “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Mary Maloney is a kind housewife this sweet who loves her husband dearly, but changes to a bitter and angry widow after her husband leaves her. In “The Possibility of Evil,” Miss Strangeworth appears to be a kind elderly lady, but behind close doors, she is the complete opposite. After reading both stories, the readers learn that even though something may appear one way, it can turn out to be something completely different than we expected. True colors are not always revealed at first sight.

Has anyone ever noticed when a pencil is put into a clear glass full of water the pencil looks bent? As most know the pencil is not really bent, your eyes are deceiving the way people actually see things. In The Possibility of Evil, a mystery short story, by Shirley Jackson, she uses parable like qualities from third person omniscient, irony, a free-floating sense of depravity, a gothic house, and a turn about in events to show that even if you are looking through a clear glass, everything is not always what it seems. Jackson shows this by using symbolism and themes: Do not judge a book by its cover and looks can be deceiving.

Ten children are killed every day in the United States by guns; people are murdered senselessly; Columbine High School; Over one-third of middle school children in Cascade County have used illegal drugs and over one-half have tried alcohol; innocent people in foreign countries are being wiped out (Kosovo); The Holocaust; Hiroshima; Vietnam; poverty, starvation and oppression in third world countries; Capitalism; environmental decay and neglect; the media; Oklahoma City; the uni-bomber; earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, airplane crashes; domestic/child abuse; disease, birth defects and mental disorders. Why?Why?Why?… The question never changes and is asked over and over and over and

Greatness exist everywhere, from something as important as the creating to cure for sick to something small as holding a door open for a stranger. Even the smallest good can have an influence on people. Although there is so much greatness in the word, people don’t take into account how much evil there is in the world. To get to where were as a civilization there has been so much war and death. Medicine and vaccines now maybe able to cure diseases such as the Spanish flu, but almost a century ago, hundreds of thousands of people died. These examples might be some of the worst cases of evil, but evil be as simple as bullying a kid at school. Some people don’t even recognize