The Problem of Evil: What is the inconsistent trial?
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:
- God is omnipotent and omnibenevolent, and evil does not exist.
- God is omnipotent, but not omnibenevolent; thus, evil exists by God's will.
- God is omnibenevolent, but not omnipotent; thus, evil exists, but it is not within God's power to stop it (at least not instantaneously).
MC
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