Reading Questions for the Problem of Evil

As you read the lesson on the Problem of Evil, use the following questions to guide you. You won’t be asked to turn in your answers to these questions, but these questions, or questions very similar to them, may appear on a quiz – and you will be allowed to use your notes, including your answers to these questions, on the quiz.

1. What is the Problem of Evil?

2. How does the Test Defense against the Problem of Evil go? Is it anthropomorphic? Why or why not?

3. How does the Lesson-Learning Defense against the Problem of Evil go? Is it anthropomorphic? Why or why not?

4. How does the Punishment Defense against the Problem of Evil go? Is it anthropomorphic? Why or why not?

5. Can an omnipotent being do everything? If so, why? If not, what can’t an omnipotent being do?

6. How does the Virtue Defense against the Problem of Evil go? What is its weakest part?

7. How does the Free Will Defense against the Problem of Evil go? What is its weakest part?

8. How does the Epistemic Contrast Defense go?

9. What’s the problem with the Problem of Evil?

Lets continue to our exploration of the Problem of Evil.