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A Taxonomy of Theodicy

Aletheia Athanatos

Aletheia Athanatos

Member
Below are seven categories into which positions upon the problem of evil can be sorted into.

They are mutually exclusive (no position can fall into more than one category) and complete (all positions fall under one of them).

(A) God does not exist

(B) God does exist, AND good and evil are arbitrary things that God can define however He chooses

(C) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is a being that is less than 100% good

(D) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we don't observe that any things have ever happened that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil

(E) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we observe at least some things that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil AND those things which appeared to be gratuitously evil were all in fact good

(F) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we observe at least some things that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil, AND some of those things which appear to be gratuitously evil were in fact gratuitously evil, AND God is insufficiently powerful to stop more of them than He currently does

(G) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we observe at least some things that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil, AND some of those things which appear to be gratuitously evil were in fact gratuitously evil, AND God is powerful enough to stop more of them than He currently does
 
sun rise

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
(H) God does exist, AND good and evil are part of the bipolar illusion of creation that we will someday wake up from.
 
PureX

PureX

Veteran Member
1. God does exist, but good and evil do not exist.

2. God does not exist, and neither does good or evil.

1a & 2a. Good and evil exist only in our own minds, as value assessments related to our own well-being.​

3. God does exist, and so does good and evil.

3a. Good and evil are a divinely determined antithetical to the cause/flow of 'Creation'.​

4. God does not exist, but good and evil do exist.

4a. Good and evil are an objectively determined antithetical to the cause/flow of existence.
​
 
osgart

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Evil is merely the sole desire and intention to abuse, and destroy goodness. Goodness is the desire that all life live to the highest quality of love, joy, peace and honor in virtue. Goodness seeks out the welfare of others as well as self.

If there were no evil then we would never have to see the tough, militant, deadly side of goodness. The existence of evil creates an adversarial war.

Who would think to destroy all that is virtue and goodness but an evil mind. Evil is the enemy of love.

Lies, deceit, arrogance, hatred and false divisions is the manifestation of evil. Waste and murder follow in its path. Evil wants power, mastery, and control over everything. To steal what belongs elsewhere, and to rule and dominate.

Evil seeks false dominion and omniscient superiority. Good seeks excellence for all. Goodness wants only the deserving truth, and is never satisfied with less.

Where is God in all of this? Can God be a victim?

What are God's limits?

If God is goodness then God is actively pursuing the excellence of all that choose goodness.

The mercy principle, how far does it extend its hand with God.

Free will to choose between Good and Evil is a necessary ability because God creates new life for life purposes. God desires the utmost fellowship of true friendship.

Allowing atrocity serves what purpose? Allowing children victimization serves what purpose?

God is not invincible, or God is not present, or God is not good. God does not exist.

Enduring evil is not a true test of character. It's utterly needless to have to endure.
 
Balthazzar

Balthazzar

N. Germanic Descent
Aletheia Athanatos said:
Below are seven categories into which positions upon the problem of evil can be sorted into.

They are mutually exclusive (no position can fall into more than one category) and complete (all positions fall under one of them).

(A) God does not exist

(B) God does exist, AND good and evil are arbitrary things that God can define however He chooses

(C) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is a being that is less than 100% good

(D) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we don't observe that any things have ever happened that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil

(E) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we observe at least some things that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil AND those things which appeared to be gratuitously evil were all in fact good

(F) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we observe at least some things that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil, AND some of those things which appear to be gratuitously evil were in fact gratuitously evil, AND God is insufficiently powerful to stop more of them than He currently does

(G) God does exist, AND good and evil are defined independently of God, AND God is 100% good, AND we observe at least some things that have appeared to us to be gratuitously evil, AND some of those things which appear to be gratuitously evil were in fact gratuitously evil, AND God is powerful enough to stop more of them than He currently does
Click to expand...

God does exist as all and all things are both indepent and interdependent of God individually, including good and evil and how they are viewed and experienced between each individual and/or organism.
 
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