The malevolent concept evokes an unending theological and philosophical inquest that
affirms three concrete propositions: evil exists, God is almighty, and God is perfect. The
epistemic question arising from evil is whether the world comprises an undesirable state of
affairs that offers the basis for an argument that inspires unreasonable beliefs about the existence
of God. In a broad context containing all natural and moral stances, the problem of evil accounts
for evil in a world created by a perfect God. In this context, all these attributes point to a perfect
God, excluding evil. However, the world is awash with evil, which implores thinkers to
challenge the reality of an omnipotent, all-good, and omniscient God.
A narrow conception of evil points out all-natural and moral evils, which are pervasive in
theological contexts, including the discussion of the issue of evil. The issue of evil emerges from
justifying the evil in the world formed by a perfect God. If at all God has these attributes, the
world would free of evil. However, the presence of evil implores theologians to deduce the
absence of an omnipresent, omniscient, and all-powerful supreme God (Stanford encyclopedia of
philosophy, 2021). On the subject of evil, the main issue for philosophers is the application of
evil in ethical, political, and legal addresses. Philosophers are keen to identify the connection
between malevolent and ethical concepts such as wrongdoing and badness, the necessary and
appropriate settings for evil deeds, inspirations for evil character, and the interaction between
evil action and evil nature.
A crucial philosophical statement on the issue of evil, as attributed to early philosophers,
such as Epicurus and David Hume in the deliberations of natural religion, poses whether God is
willing to prevent evil but cannot. This assumption portrays an impotent and malevolent God. If
he is both willing and able, there would be no evil (Collins, n.d.). This position augments the
CAN PHILOSOPHY HELP FREE US FROM EVIL? 3
positive argument for atheism that a perfect and omnipotent God would eliminate evil
completely because there is no boundaries of what he can do. Therefore, with the existence of a
good God, there would be no evil in the world (Rae, 2019). However, because the world is
stained with evil, there lacks a perfect being. This argument in the context of evil includes both
an ethical evil, those inspired by free human will, and a natural evil such as disease, floods, and
earthquakes.
Most philosophers opine that this argument is too basic since it fails to recognize cases
where eliminating one vice would result in the emergence of another or where the existence of a
certain evil comprises an admirable state of activities morally outweighing it. In addition, it is
critical to evaluate the logical constraints to what the omnipresent God is capable of doing
(Marwati, 2017). Cynics thus take the reality of evil as evidence that the existence of God is
improbable. In this note, evil cancels out whatever evidence is available of the presence of a
supreme God. In conclusion, theological proponents argue that after all evidence supporting the
presence of a supreme and holy creator, morally neutral opposed to the ancient God of theistic
religions.
Various arguments prevail to demystify the problem of evil, with some being used as
theodicies and defenses. This free will proposition argues that God does not cause evil but
humans out of their liberty to determine their actions. This opinion presupposes beings as free
agents, failing to recognize the presence of natural evil, but for where it is accelerated by human
factors, for example, greediness or carelessness. Ancient philosophers hold that natural evils
provide a learning and maturing opportunity for humans. In other words, natural evils are vital
for cultivating qualities, for instance bravery and kindness by imploring humans to challenge
adversities, dangers, and needs. These appeals augment the connotation of life after death.
CAN PHILOSOPHY HELP FREE US FROM EVIL? 4
However, life after death is not a reward for the first life but a point of human misery where God
brings good out of evil. Since most theodicies can only conceive of a better world and the lack of
conviction that evil results in atheism, future discussions will focus on balancing the reality of
evil against evidence in favor of God's existence.
CAN PHILOSOPHY HELP FREE US FROM EVIL? 5
References
Collins, P. (n.d.). Power and choice: A philosophical inquiry into evil. Retrieved from
https://www.utsa.edu/ovations/vol8/story/power.html
Marwati, B. (2017). Contribution of philosophy in overcoming evil. Retrieved from
https://www.ugm.ac.id/en/news/6649-contribution-of-philosophy-in-overcoming-evil
Rae, G. (2019). Augustine, free will, and evil. Evil in the Western Philosophical Tradition, 39-
54. doi:10.3366/Edinburgh/9781474445320.003.0003
Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. (2021). The concept of evil (Stanford encyclopedia of
philosophy). Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/concept-evil/