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DB 14 What is Evil?
DB 14 What is Evil?
What is “Evil”? First, define what you consider evil to be. Consider a counterexample to your response. How might you improve your definition? You might consider some of the initial work on this presented in the Slide Show Lecture: “What is X?” (See Unit 2 Modules)
Second, address this question: How can there be evil in the universe, when a perfect being who is omni-benevolent (in the sense that it would eliminate evil as best it could) and all-powerful (in the sense that it can do anything) created the universe? (i.e. How can evil or something imperfect come from a perfect being?)
Note: If “evil” is holding you up on answering the second question, then merely refer to evil as “imperfection” (or “suffering” or “error”).
Note: If you argue for the rather short solution that a “perfect being does not exist”, then mention this point and instead answer this: What secular (i.e., non-religious) explanation is there for evil? (i.e., human suffering and imperfection) Why is the universe imperfect or why does it seem so?