THE LOGICAL PROBLEM OF EVIL

Mackie's argument and the answer of free will

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26512/pl.v8i16.23750

Keywords:

God. Logical. Evil.

Abstract

This article aims to critically analyze the logical version of the problem of evil. According to the logical problem of evil, the existence of the theistic god is logically incompatible with the existence of evil. One of the most important proponents of the logical problem of evil today is J. L. Mackie, and it is in his formulation that we have concentrated. We present two answers exposed and examined by Mackie himself. Next, we turn to Alvin Plantinga's Defense of Free Will to overcome Mackie's previous criticisms of a version of this defense that calls for free will in order to logically reconcile God's existence with evil. We conclude that Plantinga's defense fails to block the conclusion of Mackie's argument. We then present an economic answer that successfully neutralizes the logical problem. Finally, we conclude that evil does not pose a logical problem to the existence of God.

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Author Biography

Gabriel Reis de Oliveira, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Atualmente é mestrando no programa de pós-graduação em Lógica e Metafísica da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro e bolsista da CAPES. Tem experiência na área de Filosofia, com ênfase em Filosofia da Religião, Metafísica e Epistemologia Analítica.

References

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MACKIE, J. L. Evil and omnipotence. Mind, 64, 1955, p. 200-212.

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PLANTINGA, A. God, freedom and evil. Michigan: Harper and Row, 1974.

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PLANTINGA, A. The problem of evil and some varieties of atheism. American philosophical quarterly 16, 1979, p. 335-341.

SWINBURNE, Richard. Providence and the problem of evil. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1998.

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Published

2019-08-31

How to Cite

Oliveira, G. R. de. (2019). THE LOGICAL PROBLEM OF EVIL: Mackie’s argument and the answer of free will. PÓLEMOS – Revista De Estudantes De Filosofia Da Universidade De Brasília, 8(16), 190–208. https://doi.org/10.26512/pl.v8i16.23750

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 16 (2019)

Section

Artigos

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Copyright (c) 2019 PÓLEMOS ”“ Revista de Estudantes de Filosofia da Universidade de Brasília

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