argument from evil

An Evidential Argument from Evil: Natural Inequality

I want to quickly sketch an evidential (aka “explanatory” aka “abductive” aka “F-Inductive“) argument from evil, one which focuses exclusively on natural inequality.  The argument is not mine; it belongs to Moti Mizrahi. The key point of Mizrahi’s argument, which he credits to an insight of John Rawls, is this: … natural endowments are undeserved.Now, if An Evidential Argument from Evil: Natural Inequality

Correction to “Are Atheism and Moral Realism Logically Incompatible?”

The introduction to my post, “Are Atheism and Moral Realism Logically Incompatible?”, probably gave readers an impression I did not intend, namely, that, in my exchange at Victor Reppert’s Dangerous Idea blog, Steve linked arguments from moral ontology (for theism) and arguments from evil (from atheism).  Steve didn’t do that there and I’m sorry if I created that Correction to “Are Atheism and Moral Realism Logically Incompatible?”

LINK: A New Problem of Evil: Authority and the Duty of Interference

Abstract: The traditional problem of evil sets theists the task of reconciling two things: God and evil. I argue that theists face the more difficult task of reconciling God and evils that God is specially obligated to prevent. Because of His authority, God’s obligation to curtail evil goes far beyond our Samaritan duty to prevent LINK: A New Problem of Evil: Authority and the Duty of Interference

LINK: Environmental Ethics and the Expanding Problem of Evil

Abstract:  The problem of evil is that morally gratuitous suffering and destruction is evidence against a benevolent and potent god. Often cases of this evil are restricted to human suffering, but if the moral universe is expanded in the fashion associated with environmental ethics, the scope of morally significant suffering and destruction grows. Consequently, the LINK: Environmental Ethics and the Expanding Problem of Evil

Quote of the Day (on Child Rape vs. Free Will)

Victor Reppert: Well, I personally would rather live in a world in which children are raped than in a world without free will. But I suspect you will find my preference repugnant. LINK (you may have to skip down to the comments box to find this)

The Problem of Epistemic Evil

The problem of epistemic evil is raised by Rene Descartes in the fourth of his Meditations on First Philosophy. In the previous meditation he believed that he had exorcised the Evil Genius who might be systematically and comprehensively deceiving us. Descartes believes that he has proven the existence of a good God who will not The Problem of Epistemic Evil