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Problem of evil - Coggle Diagram
Problem of evil
Hick: epistemic distance
The only way for humans to be morally and spiritually perfect is if we are at an epistemic distance from God
This is so that we do not know if God is watching us or not, ensuring that we have faith in God despite suffering
This also ensures that any good decisions we make are made purely with a good intention, rather than in fear of punishment
Analogy / quote
For example, with the story of Job
He was faithful to God, despite being tested through suffering
So humans must encounter evil to make us unsure if God is watching us, so faith holds more value
Weakness
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For example, through higher pleasures and doing philosophy
Overcoming
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For example, charity wouldn't exist without poverty, courage wouldn't exist without fear, sympathy wouldn't exist without suffering
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Logical problem
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Epicurus' dilemma
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Since evil exists, there are 4 options as to how God interacts with that evil (able and willing, not able and willing, able and not willing, or not able and not willing)
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So, if evil exists, it is impossible for God to exist
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Evidential problem
Logically possible for God to exist if evil exists, but evil makes it very likely that God does not exist
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Rowe
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An omnipotent, wholly good being would be likely to prevent purposeless suffering
Thus, unlikely that an omnipotent, omniscient, wholly good being exists
Case of Bambi
In some distant forest, lightening strikes a dead tree, resulting in a forest fire
A fawn is trapped in the fire, burned and in agony
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