The Problem of Evil: Exploring the Paradox of God and Suffering

Question 1

The evidential argument from evil contends that the presence of evil furnishes:

Accepted Answer

Robust evidence refuting the existence of God.

Answer

Robust evidence supporting the existence of God.

Answer

Tenuous evidence supporting the existence of God.

Answer

Tenuous evidence refuting the existence of God.

Question 2

According to the free will defense, evil is necessary for enabling:

Accepted Answer

The exercise of genuine choice.

Answer

Human excellence and flourishing.

Answer

The manifestation of God's glory.

Answer

The justification for theodicy.

Question 3

The soul-making defense maintains that evil is necessary for:

Accepted Answer

The development of human moral character.

Answer

The demonstration of God's omnipotence.

Answer

The exercise of genuine choice.

Answer

The substantiation of theodicy.

Question 4

If an all-powerful God exists, why is there evil in the world? Which argument directly challenges this idea?

Accepted Answer

The existence of evil contradicts an all-powerful God.

Answer

God can't create a stone He can't lift.

Answer

God can't create a being as powerful as Himself.

Answer

God can't predict the future.

Question 5

Which of the following is an invalid response to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

The problem of evil is not a problem at all.

Answer

Evil is a necessary consequence of human free will.

Answer

The existence of evil is evidence against the existence of a benevolent and omnipotent God.

Question 6

The central argument of the Problem of Evil questions the existence of God based on the existence of:

Accepted Answer

Evil

Answer

Good

Answer

Suffering

Answer

Natural disasters

Question 7

The free will defense argues that the existence of evil is a consequence of:

Accepted Answer

Human freedom

Answer

God's omnipotence

Answer

God's benevolence

Answer

The nature of the universe

Question 8

Process theodicy claims that God:

Accepted Answer

Created the universe with the potential for evil as part of a larger plan.

Answer

Is limited in power and cannot prevent all evil.

Answer

Does not actively intervene in the world to prevent evil.

Answer

Intentionally creates evil to test human beings.

Question 9

Who proposed the concept of the "Hiddenness of God" as a potential solution to the Problem of Evil?

Accepted Answer

John Hick

Answer

David Hume

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Answer

William Rowe

Question 10

A key distinction made in the Problem of Evil is the difference between:

Accepted Answer

Moral and natural evil

Answer

Logical and evidential evil

Answer

Objective and subjective evil

Answer

Divine and human evil

Question 11

Articulate the "classical" formulation of the problem of evil.

Accepted Answer

An omnipotent God's existence is irreconcilable with the existence of evil.

Answer

Human free will is the genesis of evil.

Answer

Evil's existence is essential for good's existence.

Answer

Evil's existence is an unfathomable enigma.

Question 12

Which feature is NOT characteristic of the Irenaean theodicy?

Accepted Answer

God created evil as a punishment for human sin.

Answer

Human suffering plays a vital role in spiritual growth.

Answer

Evil is an inevitable consequence of a limited world's creation.

Answer

Evil is perceived as an illusion due to our limited understanding of God's plan.

Question 13

According to the hidden good defense, evil exists because it:

Accepted Answer

Is ultimately essential for the realization of greater good.

Answer

Is a retribution for human sin.

Answer

Is a result of human free will.

Answer

Is an inherent aspect of the natural world.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a common response to the Problem of Evil in philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Morality is a human construct

Answer

God created evil

Answer

Suffering is necessary for growth

Answer

Evil is an illusion

Question 15

The Epicurean paradox questions the:

Accepted Answer

Coexistence of an omnipotent and benevolent God with the existence of evil

Answer

Necessity of suffering for personal growth

Answer

Validity of free will in the face of evil

Answer

Existence of objective moral values

Question 16

According to which philosopher is evil the absence of good?

Accepted Answer

Plotinus

Answer

Plato

Answer

Kant

Answer

Aquinas

Question 17

Which of the following is a key distinction in the Problem of Evil?

Accepted Answer

Moral vs. natural evil

Answer

Physical vs. mental evil

Answer

Suffering vs. injustice

Question 18

The problem of hiddenness refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Absence of clear evidence for God's existence despite the presence of evil

Answer

Difficulty of understanding God's ways

Answer

Paradox of reconciling free will with determinism

Question 19

The evidential argument from evil claims that:

Accepted Answer

The existence of evil provides evidence against the existence of God

Answer

God must be evil to allow evil to exist

Answer

Evil is a necessary condition for human growth

Question 20

Which philosopher argued that evil is an essential component of reality for the existence of good?

Accepted Answer

G.W. Leibniz

Answer

Immanuel Kant

Answer

David Hume

Answer

Bertrand Russell

Question 21

The Problem of Evil primarily challenges the concept of:

Accepted Answer

An omnipotent and benevolent God

Answer

The scientific understanding of the universe

Answer

The validity of moral principles

Question 22

What is the central dilemma presented by the Problem of Evil?

Accepted Answer

The apparent contradiction between the existence of suffering and the existence of a benevolent and all-powerful God

Answer

The existence of free will

Answer

The nature of causality

Question 23

According to the Epicurean argument, evil is viewed as a:

Accepted Answer

Natural consequence of our finite and imperfect world

Answer

Punishment for human sin

Answer

Choice made by God

Question 24

Which of the following is a common free will defense against the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Evil is primarily a result of human choices rather than divine action

Answer

Evil is a necessary part of a larger cosmic plan

Answer

God allows evil to test our faith

Question 25

Teleology refers to the belief that:

Accepted Answer

Everything has a purpose or end goal

Answer

Human morality can be objectively analyzed

Answer

The universe originated from a single point

Question 26

The logical problem of evil argues that:

Accepted Answer

The existence of evil is logically incompatible with the existence of an all-powerful and perfectly good being

Answer

Evil is a necessary part of a larger cosmic plan

Answer

Evil is a punishment for human sin

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a type of theological response to the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

Scientism

Answer

Dualism

Answer

Atheism

Answer

Theodicies

Question 28

The Augustinian theodicy argues that:

Accepted Answer

Evil is not a positive reality, but rather a privation or absence of good

Answer

Evil is a necessary consequence of the existence of free will

Answer

Evil is a punishment for mankind's sins

Question 29

The Irenaean theodicy proposes that:

Accepted Answer

Evil is an integral part of God's plan for creation

Answer

Evil is a product of human choices rather than divine action

Answer

Evil is a result of human sin

Question 30

Which of the following is a key criticism of the free will defense against the problem of evil?

Accepted Answer

It does not account for the existence of natural evil

Answer

It conflicts with the idea of a benevolent God

Answer

It assumes that humans have perfect freedom