The Evidential Problem of Evil: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

The evidential problem of evil argues that:

Accepted Answer

The existence of evil is logically incompatible with the attributes of an omniscient, omnipotent, and benevolent God.

Answer

The amount of evil in the world is so overwhelming that it outweighs any possible evidence for God's existence.

Answer

The problem of evil is a purely subjective experience and cannot be used as an argument against God's existence.

Answer

If God exists, then there should be no evil in the world.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a common response to the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The amount of evil in the world is actually quite small.

Answer

The problem of evil is a mystery that cannot be fully understood.

Answer

Evil is a necessary part of the world for the development of human morality.

Answer

God allows evil to exist for reasons beyond human comprehension.

Question 3

The evidential problem of evil challenges the concept of an omnipotent God by suggesting that:

Accepted Answer

God's omnipotence is incompatible with the existence of evil.

Answer

God is not powerful enough to prevent evil.

Answer

God is not benevolent enough to care about evil.

Answer

God is not the ultimate source of all things.

Question 4

Which premise is central to the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

If an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God exists, evil should not exist.

Answer

God's reasons for allowing evil are beyond our understanding.

Answer

Evil is sometimes necessary to contrast good.

Question 5

Who is widely recognized as the philosopher most associated with the formulation of the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

David Hume

Answer

William Paley

Answer

René Descartes

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 6

What is the primary implication of the evidential problem of evil for the belief in God?

Accepted Answer

It challenges the belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God.

Answer

It conclusively disproves the existence of God.

Answer

It has no impact on religious belief.

Question 7

Which defense against the evidential problem of evil posits that God allows evil to exist as a necessary consequence of human free will?

Accepted Answer

Free will defense

Answer

Cosmological argument

Answer

Ontological argument

Answer

Teleological argument

Question 8

According to the free will defense, why does God allow evil?

Accepted Answer

Because it is a necessary consequence of granting humans the freedom to make choices.

Answer

Because humans are ultimately responsible for their own evil actions.

Answer

Because evil is an illusion and does not truly exist.

Question 9

Which criticism of the free will defense points out that it does not account for suffering that is not directly caused by human choices?

Accepted Answer

It fails to explain the existence of natural disasters and diseases.

Answer

It conflicts with the belief in an all-powerful God.

Answer

It assumes that humans have complete freedom of will.

Question 10

Which distinction in the discussion of evil is relevant to the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Natural evil vs. moral evil

Answer

Objective evil vs. subjective evil

Answer

Physical evil vs. spiritual evil

Answer

Internal evil vs. external evil

Question 11

Which response to the evidential problem of evil suggests that free will is the reason for the existence of evil?

Accepted Answer

Free will defense

Answer

Argument from ignorance

Answer

Pascal's wager

Answer

Cognitive dissonance theory

Question 12

Who among these philosophers is considered a prominent figure associated with the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

David Hume

Answer

Friedrich Nietzsche

Answer

Søren Kierkegaard

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Question 13

Which limitation of the evidential problem of evil pertains to the type of reasoning it employs?

Accepted Answer

It is based on an inductive argument.

Answer

It only considers one type of evil.

Answer

It assumes that God is morally perfect.

Answer

It cannot be disproven.

Question 14

Critique the free will defense by identifying a shortcoming:

Accepted Answer

It fails to account for the existence of natural evil.

Answer

It is based on a false dichotomy.

Answer

It assumes that God is not responsible for evil.

Question 15

State a potential consequence of the evidential problem of evil for religious belief:

Accepted Answer

It can lead to atheism.

Answer

It has no impact on religious belief.

Answer

It strengthens religious belief.

Answer

It proves that God does not exist.

Question 16

Identify the central assumption that underpins the evidential problem of evil:

Accepted Answer

God possesses omnipotence, omniscience, and perfect goodness.

Answer

The universe is eternal.

Answer

Evil is always negative.

Answer

Humans have free will.

Question 17

Distinguish between two key categories of evil discussed in the evidential problem of evil:

Accepted Answer

Moral evil vs. natural evil

Answer

Physical evil vs. mental evil

Answer

Internal evil vs. external evil

Answer

Temporal evil vs. eternal evil

Question 18

Consider a potential counterargument to the evidential problem of evil based on the nature of suffering:

Accepted Answer

Suffering can contribute to personal growth and development.

Answer

Suffering is an illusion.

Answer

Suffering is integral for the existence of good.

Answer

Suffering is invariably a punishment for sin.

Question 19

Which contemporary approach attempts to address the evidential problem of evil by emphasizing God's gradual involvement in the world?

Accepted Answer

Process theodicy

Answer

Classical theodicy

Answer

Irenaean theodicy

Answer

Augustinian theodicy

Question 20

Which philosopher is primarily associated with the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

David Hume

Answer

Søren Kierkegaard

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

René Descartes

Question 21

Which response to the evidential problem of evil argues that human suffering is a consequence of God's hidden purposes and can ultimately lead to spiritual growth?

Accepted Answer

The theodicy of hope

Answer

The skeptical response

Answer

The free will defense

Answer

The evidential response

Question 22

What is the free will defense to the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The existence of evil is a necessary consequence of God granting humans free will, which is a greater good than a world without evil.

Answer

Evil is a necessary part of the natural world, which God created.

Answer

Evil is a punishment for human sin.

Question 23

What is the skeptical response to the evidential problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The evidential problem of evil relies on assumptions about the nature of God and evil that cannot be proven or disproven, so it cannot provide a definitive argument against the existence of God.

Answer

Evil is a necessary part of the natural world, which God created.

Question 24

How does the evidential problem of evil impact religious belief?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to doubt or rejection of belief in God, or it can strengthen faith by forcing believers to confront and grapple with the problem.

Answer

It has no impact on religious belief.