Arguments from the Problem of Divine Perfection

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the arguments from the problem of divine perfection. These arguments question the existence of a perfect God in light of the presence of evil and suffering in the world.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy philosophy of religion arguments from the problem of divine perfection
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Which of the following is NOT a common argument from the problem of divine perfection?

  1. The argument from evil

  2. The argument from suffering

  3. The argument from contradiction

  4. The argument from omnipotence


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The argument from contradiction is not a common argument from the problem of divine perfection. The other three arguments are commonly used to challenge the existence of a perfect God.

According to the argument from evil, the existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with the existence of a:

  1. Perfect God

  2. Benevolent God

  3. All-powerful God

  4. All-knowing God


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from evil argues that the existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with the existence of a perfect God. It does not necessarily challenge the benevolence, omnipotence, or omniscience of God.

The argument from suffering claims that the amount of suffering in the world is:

  1. Too great to be consistent with the existence of a benevolent God

  2. Too random to be consistent with the existence of an all-powerful God

  3. Too widespread to be consistent with the existence of an all-knowing God

  4. Too pointless to be consistent with the existence of a perfect God


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument from suffering claims that the amount of suffering in the world is too great to be consistent with the existence of a benevolent God. It does not necessarily challenge the omnipotence, omniscience, or perfection of God.

Which of the following is NOT a common response to the argument from evil?

  1. The free will defense

  2. The soul-making defense

  3. The greater good defense

  4. The mystery of evil defense


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The mystery of evil defense is not a common response to the argument from evil. The other three defenses are commonly used to counter the argument from evil.

The free will defense argues that the existence of evil and suffering is a result of:

  1. God's decision to create creatures with free will

  2. The fall of humanity into sin

  3. The natural consequences of living in a physical world

  4. The presence of Satan and other evil spirits


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The free will defense argues that the existence of evil and suffering is a result of God's decision to create creatures with free will. It claims that God allows evil and suffering to exist in order to give creatures the opportunity to choose between good and evil.

The soul-making defense argues that suffering is necessary for:

  1. The development of moral character

  2. The purification of the soul

  3. The growth of wisdom and compassion

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The soul-making defense argues that suffering is necessary for the development of moral character, the purification of the soul, and the growth of wisdom and compassion.

The greater good defense argues that the existence of evil and suffering is justified by:

  1. The greater good that will ultimately result from it

  2. The fact that it is necessary for the existence of free will

  3. The fact that it is a necessary part of the natural world

  4. The fact that it is a punishment for sin


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The greater good defense argues that the existence of evil and suffering is justified by the greater good that will ultimately result from it. It claims that God allows evil and suffering to exist in order to bring about a greater good, such as the salvation of souls or the development of moral character.

Which of the following is NOT a common criticism of the free will defense?

  1. It fails to explain why God allows innocent people to suffer

  2. It assumes that free will is more important than the prevention of suffering

  3. It is incompatible with the idea of a benevolent God

  4. It is based on a false dichotomy between good and evil


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The criticism that the free will defense is based on a false dichotomy between good and evil is not a common criticism of the defense. The other three criticisms are commonly raised against the free will defense.

Which of the following is NOT a common criticism of the soul-making defense?

  1. It is based on a speculative and unverifiable claim about the afterlife

  2. It fails to explain why some people suffer more than others

  3. It is incompatible with the idea of a just God

  4. It is based on a false dichotomy between good and evil


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The criticism that the soul-making defense is based on a false dichotomy between good and evil is not a common criticism of the defense. The other three criticisms are commonly raised against the soul-making defense.

Which of the following is NOT a common criticism of the greater good defense?

  1. It is based on a speculative and unverifiable claim about the future

  2. It fails to explain why innocent people suffer

  3. It is incompatible with the idea of a benevolent God

  4. It is based on a false dichotomy between good and evil


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The criticism that the greater good defense is based on a false dichotomy between good and evil is not a common criticism of the defense. The other three criticisms are commonly raised against the greater good defense.

Some philosophers have argued that the problem of divine perfection is a:

  1. Logical problem

  2. Evidential problem

  3. Both a logical and evidential problem

  4. Neither a logical nor an evidential problem


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Some philosophers have argued that the problem of divine perfection is both a logical and an evidential problem. They claim that it is logically inconsistent to believe in a perfect God in light of the existence of evil and suffering, and that the evidence of evil and suffering provides strong evidence against the existence of a perfect God.

Other philosophers have argued that the problem of divine perfection is a:

  1. Logical problem

  2. Evidential problem

  3. Both a logical and evidential problem

  4. Neither a logical nor an evidential problem


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Other philosophers have argued that the problem of divine perfection is neither a logical nor an evidential problem. They claim that it is not logically inconsistent to believe in a perfect God in light of the existence of evil and suffering, and that the evidence of evil and suffering does not provide strong evidence against the existence of a perfect God.

The problem of divine perfection has been used to argue for:

  1. The existence of God

  2. The non-existence of God

  3. The existence of a limited God

  4. The existence of an imperfect God


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The problem of divine perfection has been used to argue for the non-existence of God. It claims that the existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with the existence of a perfect God, and therefore God does not exist.

The problem of divine perfection has also been used to argue for:

  1. The existence of God

  2. The non-existence of God

  3. The existence of a limited God

  4. The existence of an imperfect God


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The problem of divine perfection has also been used to argue for the existence of a limited God. It claims that the existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with the existence of an all-powerful and all-benevolent God, but it does not necessarily rule out the existence of a more limited God.

The problem of divine perfection has also been used to argue for:

  1. The existence of God

  2. The non-existence of God

  3. The existence of a limited God

  4. The existence of an imperfect God


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The problem of divine perfection has also been used to argue for the existence of an imperfect God. It claims that the existence of evil and suffering in the world is incompatible with the existence of a perfect God, but it does not necessarily rule out the existence of an imperfect God.

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