Ideas from 'Evil and Omnipotence' by J.L. Mackie [1955], by Theme Structure

[found in 'The Philosophy of Religion' (ed/tr Mitchell,Basil) [OUP 1971,0-19-875018-8]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     unexpand these ideas


29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / a. Problem of Evil
Is evil an illusion, or a necessary contrast, or uncontrollable, or necessary for human free will?
                        Full Idea: Perhaps evil is an illusion, or it is necessary for good to exist, or in humans it is required because we have free will, or God lacks the full power to control it, but none of these looks convincing.
                        From: report of J.L. Mackie (Evil and Omnipotence [1955], §B) by PG - Db (ideas)
The propositions that God is good and omnipotent, and that evil exists, are logically contradictory
                        Full Idea: There is a contradiction between the propositions that God is wholly good, God is omnipotent, and evil exists, and one of them has got to give way (assuming good eliminates evil, and omnipotence has no limit).
                        From: report of J.L. Mackie (Evil and Omnipotence [1955], Pref.) by PG - Db (ideas)