Analysis of Evil in Peter Van Inwagen´sThe Argument from...

This essay examines a paper by Peter Van Inwagen, â€Å"The Argument from Evil†. Inwagen’s paper attempts to give a possible reason for why there is evil in this world. However, this essay will attempt to give reasons for why Inwagen’s reason for evil does not explain evil without compromising God’s essential quality of moral perfection. Inwagen sets the basic format for the problem of evil as thus: God has â€Å"non-negotiable† properties of omnipotence and moral perfection, there is evil in this world, if an omnipotent and morally perfect being created this world there shouldn’t be evil in it, therefore, there is no God. (Reason and Responsibility, 108) Omnipotence meaning able to bring about anything that is not a contradiction and moral†¦show more content†¦Firstly, Inwagen examines a theist’s reply that God brings a greater good out of the evils in the world. However, the problem with this reply, Inwagen notes, is that it does not take into account God’s omnipotence. In other words, God could have brought out a greater good from evil than He has. This implies either God is not omnipotent and so is unable to bring about the greater good or if He is omnipotent then this reply implies a moral imperfection. Therefore, Inwagen admits, his defense must include â€Å"†¦the pro position that God was unable bring about the greater goods without allowing evils†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Reason and Responsibility, 110). Secondly, a theist may reply that there is evil in this world because it allows for an understanding of good. However, Inwagen again notes God’s omnipotence which could teach this contrast through something less evil, such as vivid nightmares. (Reason and Responsibility, 110) Lastly, Inwagen believes, a theist may reply using free will. Inwagen defines free will as a free choice between different options, for example A or B, where God cannot make a person choose A over B because it is a contradiction to the definition of free will. Moreover, humans abuse free will which causes or â€Å"produces a certain amount of evil†. Nonetheless, free will is good that outweighs its evil affects, so, that is why God has allowed it. (Reason and Responsibility, 111) Inwagen notes the objections to this solution as well: (i) the good from free will