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The problem of evil is the philosophical question of how to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God. [1] [2] [3] There are currently differing definitions of these concepts. The best known presentation of the problem is attributed to the Greek philosopher Epicurus.
Epicurean paradox. Bust of Epicurus, c.3rd/2nd century BC. The Epicurus paradox is a logical dilemma about the problem of evil attributed to the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who argued against the existence of a god who is simultaneously omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent.
The Epicurean paradox or riddle of Epicurus or Epicurus' trilemma is a version of the problem of evil. Lactantius attributes this trilemma to Epicurus in De Ira Dei, 13, 20-21: God, he says, either wishes to take away evils, and is unable; or He is able, and is unwilling; or He is neither willing nor able, or He is both willing and able.
Roman Epicurusbust. Epicureanismis a system of philosophyfounded around 307 BCEbased upon the teachings of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher. Epicurus was an atomistand materialist, following in the steps of Democritus. His materialism led him to religious skepticismand a general attack on superstition and divine intervention.
Theodicy is defined as a theological construct that attempts to vindicate God in response to the problem of evilthat appears inconsistent with the existence of an omnipotentand omnibenevolentGod.[4] Another definition of theodicy is the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil.
Free will in antiquity. Free will in antiquity is a philosophical and theological concept. Free will in antiquity was not discussed in the same terms as used in the modern free will debates, but historians of the problem have speculated who exactly was first to take positions as determinist, libertarian, and compatibilist in antiquity. [1]
The problem of evil is generally formulated in two forms: the logical problem of evil and the evidential problem of evil. The logical form of the argument tries to show a logical
The problem of evil is often given in the form of an inconsistent triad. For example, J. L. Mackie gave the following three propositions: God is omnipotent; God is omnibenevolent; Evil exists; Mackie argued that these propositions were inconsistent, and thus, that at least one of these propositions must be false. Either: