Introduction to Philosophy: Overhead

Introduction to Philosophy	Notes	*This is not a substitute for coming to class - or for reading* the material.**	Richard Lee
Philosophy 2003	Notes	Copyright © 2006, Richard Lee	Autumn 2006

A Formulation of the (Logical) Problem of Evil

Premises:

1. There is suffering.
2. If there is suffering, then there is evil.
3. If God exists, then God is all powerful.
4. If God exists, then God is all good.
5. If God is all good, then if God is able to prevent the existence of all evil, then God does prevent the existence of all evil.
6. If God is all powerful, then God can do anything that is logically possible.
7. If God can do anything that is logically possible, then God is able to prevent the existence of all evil.
8. If God does prevent the existence of all evil, then it is not the case that there is evil.

Conclusion:

C. It is not the case that God exists.

Richard Lee, rlee@uark.edu, last modified: 24 September 2002

1.	There is suffering.
2.	If there is suffering, then there is evil.
3.	If God exists, then God is all powerful.
4.	If God exists, then God is all good.
5.	If God is all good, then if God is able to prevent the existence of all evil, then God does prevent the existence of all evil.
6.	If God is all powerful, then God can do anything that is logically possible.
7.	If God can do anything that is logically possible, then God is able to prevent the existence of all evil.
8.	If God does prevent the existence of all evil, then it is not the case that there is evil.

Conclusion:

C.	It is not the case that God exists.