Single Idea 5766

[catalogued under 29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / a. Problem of Evil]

Full Idea

If you could see the plan of Providence, you would not think there was evil anywhere.

Clarification

'Providence' is God as the controller of our reality

Gist of Idea

If you could see the plan of Providence, you would not think there was evil anywhere

Source

Boethius (The Consolations of Philosophy [c.520], IV.VI)

Book Reference

Boethius: 'The Consolations of Philosophy', ed/tr. Watts,V.E. [Penguin 1969], p.141


A Reaction

This brings out the verificationist in me. See Idea 1467, by Antony Flew. Presumably Boethius would retain his faith as Europe moved horribly from 1939 to 1945, and even if the whole of humanity sank into squalid viciousness.

Related Idea

Idea 1467 Religious people seem unwilling to accept any evidence that God does not love us, so their claim is unfalsifiable [Flew, by PG]