Evil
	Introduction
	The Irenaean Theodicy
	The Augustinian Theodicy
	The Process Theodicy

History

The problem of evil was first discussed by the Greek philosopher Epicurus (371-270 BC). Since then, many philosophers and theologians have wrestled with the problem, causing some - such as the French philosopher Jean Paul Sartre (1905-1980) - to state that God does not exist (Sartre actually called the idea that there was actually no God "a colossal joke").

Defences of God's goodness and omniptoence in view of this problem - called Theodicies - also stretch back to the beginnings of Christianity. St Augustine (354-430) put the problem most concisely:

"Either God cannot abolish evil, or he will not; if he cannot then he is not all-powerful; if he will not then he is not all good."

The Problem of Evil
Summary	History	Theodicy	Questions

Theodicy

In the book of Job in the Old Testament, Job himself is the victim of numerous misfortunes. Although there is no apparent reason for any of these events - at least none known to Job - a number of people seek to give possible explanations (these people are known as "Job's Comforters"). Such an attempt to account for evil without altering the conception of God is known as a Theodicy. So, in Job's case, the comforters give various possibilities as to why his family should die, his animals be stolen and he himself should be afflicted with illness: they ask if he has angered God by some act or thought; perhaps there is some sin that he is not aware of?

The thing to note about theodicy is that none of the main aspects of the problem change: God is still all-good, omniscient and omnipotent; evil still seems to exist. The difference is, however, that some reason is given to explain how all of these things can be true at the same time.

Questions

1. What is the distinction between natural and moral evil?
   
   
2. What are physical and metaphysical evil?
   
   
3. In what different ways do these four types of evil create problems for certain types of religious belief?
   
   
4. List the three most obvious ways out of the problem. Can you think of any others?
   

Summary

For the purposes of the Philosophy of Religion the word "evil" has a broader definition than that possessed by human or supernatural agents. So, although Hitler and Satan would undoubtedly be included in such a discussion, evil also covers so-called "Acts of God" - such as earthquakes, floods, famines, etc. - as well as other imperfections in the world and it's creatures. There are two main types of evil:

1. Moral evil - This covers the willful acts of human beings (such as murder, rape, etc.)
   
   
2. Natural evil - This refers to natural disasters (such as famines, floods, etc.)

Of these two types, we may further divide both of them into the following two classes:

1. Physical evil - This means bodily pain or mental anguish (fear, illness, grief, war, etc.)
   
   
2. Metaphysical evil - This refers to such things as imperfection and chance (criminals going unpunished, deformities, etc.)

The problem itself arises because of certain qualities which religious believers grant to God, and the consequences of these given certain observations about the world.

To illustrate these consider three qualities that most religious believers would not want to deny to God: absolute goodness (omnibenevolence), absolute power (omnipotence) and absolute knowledge (omniscience). Now, add to this the observation that there is evil in the world. Setting aside for the moment the question of how a good God could create a world with evil in it, ask yourself why such a deity does not do something to help combat such evil. Many theologians and philosophers over the centuries have asked this question and we will now look at some of the answers they have given.