The Problem of Evil (and Suffering)

The Problem of Evil is the one of the most influential arguments against the existence of God. It’s also one of the strongest.

Here’s a pretty standard version of the argument:

“It’s virtually indisputable that there is evil and suffering in the universe. We have the evil that’s caused by the intentionally bad acts of sentient beings, like murder and robbery, which is sometimes called ‘moral evil,’ and we have the suffering that’s caused by natural events, like tornados and illness, which is sometimes called ‘natural evil.’

But now, what about God? Any omniscient (all-knowing) being will know about evil and suffering evil when, and even before, it happens. Any omnibenevolent (all-good) being will want the universe to be free of evil and suffering. Any omnipotent (all-powerful) being will be able to create a universe free of evil and suffering. Putting all this together, it follows that if an omnibenevolent, omniscient, omnipotent being exists then there would be no evil or suffering in the universe. But, as we’ve just seen, there is evil and suffering in the universe, so an omnibenevolent, omniscient, omnipotent God doesn’t exist.”

1. An omnibenevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent God doesn’t exist.

2. There is evil and suffering in the universe.

3. Any omniscient being will know about evil and suffering when, and even before, it happens.

4. Any omnibenevolent being will want the universe to be free of evil and suffering.

5. Any omnipotent being will be able to create a universe free of evil and suffering.

6. If an omnibenevolent, omniscient, omnipotent being exists then there would be no evil or suffering in the universe.

3 + 4 + 5

A |

2 + 6

B |

1

Let’s evaluate this argument from the bottom up.

Is inference B okay? If someone believed ideas 2 and 6, how likely would she be to believe idea 1?

Think about it for a minute and then see if you agree with me.