Philosophy of Religion

The Problem of Evil: The Pivotal Argument of One’s Epistemic Landscape

I confess that the Problem of Evil is the most pivotal and emotionally triggering argument for any worldview. As a “theist” I do think it is the most significant argument that forcefully pivots oneself into deciding on whether or not evil can be sufficiently reconciled with an “All powerful being that has all great-making-features” or too insurmountable to be sufficiently reconciled with an “All powerful being that has all great-making-features”.

It is the argument that has the potential to decisively make you a theist, or atheist. Although, I am firmly convinced that the Problem of Evil is explained and reconciled with a deity through several theodicies such as “Soul-building theodicy”, “Felix Culpa theodicy”, or “Axiological theodicy” provided that they all require the “Defeat Condition” (a condition that says evil is permitted if it is necessarily and holistically redeemable in an individual’s life) instead of the “Necessary Condition” (a condition that says evil is permitted so long if it can be eliminated); the impacts of evil cannot be denied.

The existence of gratuitous suffering and animal suffering continues to haunt several theists and atheists due to its personal impact. It is so personal to the human experience and emotions. This is the reason why The Problem of Evil is the Pivotal Argument of One’s Epistemic Landscape. The existence of evil gives off an emotionally triggering response to humans that it tends to undercut human rationality. This factor decides how we view an all-powerful and all loving being in conjunction with evil.

If your emotions are swayed into thinking that The Problem of Evil is an insurmountable reconciliation to the Divine; you would likely remain to be an atheist regardless of powerful theistic arguments that you find convincing, however; if your emotions are swayed into thinking that The Problem of Evil can be a surmountable reconciliation to the Divine; you would likely remain to be a “theist”.

In conclusion, The Problem of Evil is the most pivotal argument because it triggers emotional experiences that dictates how you view God, overriding rationality. These emotional experiences either decisively sway you to a theistic perspective or an atheistic perspective.