Defeating the Problem of Evil with Evil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14428/thl.v9i1.74123

Keywords:

Logical problem of evil, Evidential problem of evil, Defense, Theodicy, Theism 

Abstract

I argue that the creation and freely chosen salvation and everlasting bliss of even just one person is a greater good than any finite amount of evil and suffering. Since it is extremely likely (if not certain) that, out of all possible individuals that could exist, some (or at least one) would only be freely saved through the contemplation and experience of evil and suffering, then God would be justified in creating a world with evil and suffering to allow for the salvation of such individuals, so long as no one else freely lost their salvation who otherwise would not have lost it because of the evil and suffering. Thus, the problem of evil dissipates, as a world with evil and suffering, even seemingly gratuitous evil and suffering, would be entirely expected given theism.

Downloads

Published

2024-02-15

How to Cite

Miksa, R. (2024). Defeating the Problem of Evil with Evil. TheoLogica: An International Journal for Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.14428/thl.v9i1.74123

Issue

Section

Articles