The problem of evil
[by] M. B. Ahern.
- New York Schocken Books [1971]
- xiv, 85 p. 23 cm.
- Studies in ethics and the philosophy of religion .
Bibliography: p. 80-82.
'The problem of evil' and the problems of evil -- The nature of the traditional problem -- The nature of the specific problems -- Avoiding confusion about God and evil -- Terms -- Omnipotence -- Perfect Goodness -- Evil -- The general problem -- Examination by the first method -- Examination by the second method -- The specific abstract problems -- About kinds of evil -- About Degrees and multiplicity of evil -- The concrete problems -- Leibniz -- John Hick --C. A. Campbell -- G.H. Foyce, S.J. -- An Assement of the problems
From pre-Christian times until the present day, philosophers have discussed whether, given evil, belief in God can logically be maintained. Theism and evil persist, and theist and non-theists remain unconvinced by one another's arguments. This study sets out to re-examine the question of God and evil from a neutral standpoint. It claims that neither side has come to adequate grips either with the question itself or with the other side's case, chiefly because of failure to distinguish the kinds of problem raised by evil. The tasks facing non-theists if they are to show that God does not exist and the task facing theists if they are to give an acceptable account of evil, become clear only when the distinctions are made. The author discusses each kind of problem separately, and concludes that neither theist nor non-theist can achieve what, in the past, he has hoped to achieve. The nature of problems precludes this. It follows that whether or not God exists cannot be decided through the issues raised by evil.