Arguments from the Problem of Natural Evil

Description: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the arguments from the problem of natural evil. The problem of natural evil is a philosophical argument that challenges the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God. The argument states that if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: philosophy philosophy of religion arguments from the problem of natural evil
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What is the problem of natural evil?

  1. The argument that God is not benevolent because he allows evil to exist.

  2. The argument that God is not omnipotent because he cannot prevent evil from existing.

  3. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.

  4. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The problem of natural evil is a philosophical argument that challenges the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God. The argument states that if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent.

What are the two main responses to the problem of natural evil?

  1. The free will defense and the soul-making defense.

  2. The evidential argument from evil and the logical argument from evil.

  3. The ontological argument and the cosmological argument.

  4. The teleological argument and the moral argument.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The two main responses to the problem of natural evil are the free will defense and the soul-making defense. The free will defense argues that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil. The soul-making defense argues that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls.

What is the free will defense?

  1. The argument that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil.

  2. The argument that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The free will defense is the argument that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil. According to this defense, if God were to prevent all evil from existing, then he would be taking away our freedom to choose. This would be a violation of our free will.

What is the soul-making defense?

  1. The argument that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil.

  2. The argument that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The soul-making defense is the argument that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls. According to this defense, evil is a necessary part of the process of becoming a morally mature person. It is through our experiences with evil that we learn to appreciate the good and to develop the virtues that are necessary for a happy and fulfilling life.

What is the evidential argument from evil?

  1. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God.

  2. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence for the existence of God.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The evidential argument from evil is the argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God. According to this argument, if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent. This argument is often used by atheists to argue against the existence of God.

What is the logical argument from evil?

  1. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God.

  2. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence for the existence of God.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The logical argument from evil is the argument that the existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God. According to this argument, if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent. This argument is often used by philosophers to argue against the existence of God.

What is the ontological argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God is self-evident.

  2. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of the universe.

  3. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of evil.

  4. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of human consciousness.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The ontological argument is the argument that the existence of God is self-evident. According to this argument, the concept of God is so perfect that it must exist. This argument is often used by theologians to argue for the existence of God.

What is the cosmological argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of the universe.

  2. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of evil.

  3. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of human consciousness.

  4. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of moral values.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The cosmological argument is the argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of the universe. According to this argument, the universe is so vast and complex that it must have been created by a powerful and intelligent being. This argument is often used by theologians to argue for the existence of God.

What is the teleological argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of evil.

  2. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of human consciousness.

  3. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of moral values.

  4. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of the universe.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The teleological argument is the argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of the universe. According to this argument, the universe is so vast and complex that it must have been created by a powerful and intelligent being. This argument is often used by theologians to argue for the existence of God.

What is the moral argument?

  1. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of evil.

  2. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of human consciousness.

  3. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of moral values.

  4. The argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of the universe.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The moral argument is the argument that the existence of God is proved by the existence of moral values. According to this argument, moral values are objective and universal, and they must have been created by a powerful and intelligent being. This argument is often used by theologians to argue for the existence of God.

What is the problem of evil?

  1. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God.

  2. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence for the existence of God.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The problem of evil is the argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God. According to this argument, if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent. This argument is often used by atheists to argue against the existence of God.

What is the free will defense?

  1. The argument that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil.

  2. The argument that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The free will defense is the argument that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil. According to this defense, if God were to prevent all evil from existing, then he would be taking away our freedom to choose. This would be a violation of our free will.

What is the soul-making defense?

  1. The argument that God allows evil to exist because he wants to give humans the freedom to choose between good and evil.

  2. The argument that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The soul-making defense is the argument that God allows evil to exist because it is necessary for the development of human souls. According to this defense, evil is a necessary part of the process of becoming a morally mature person. It is through our experiences with evil that we learn to appreciate the good and to develop the virtues that are necessary for a happy and fulfilling life.

What is the evidential argument from evil?

  1. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God.

  2. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence for the existence of God.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The evidential argument from evil is the argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God. According to this argument, if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent. This argument is often used by atheists to argue against the existence of God.

What is the logical argument from evil?

  1. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence against the existence of God.

  2. The argument that the existence of evil is evidence for the existence of God.

  3. The argument that evil is a necessary part of the world.

  4. The argument that God does not exist because evil exists.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The logical argument from evil is the argument that the existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God. According to this argument, if God is both benevolent and omnipotent, then he would not allow evil to exist in the world. However, evil does exist, therefore, either God is not benevolent or he is not omnipotent. This argument is often used by philosophers to argue against the existence of God.

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