“The Problem of Evil”, evil is defined as something that is able to be known, can’t be defined but you know it when you see it. Determining what evil is, a person would need a sense of what “good” is to compare between the two to have an objective. Everyone has free will and God could have not given us free will but He has and could have easily decided for us what he allows us to decide for ourselves. Plantinga gives an example of the condition transworld depravity in which creatures choose freely to do evil in the world,” the free will defense” (Evans &Manis p. 166). If we are always choosing right then we really aren’t choosing at all and there is no free will in that concept. If we are made to choose God then what would be the point in
Ten children are killed every day in the United States by guns; people are murdered senselessly; Columbine High School; Over one-third of middle school children in Cascade County have used illegal drugs and over one-half have tried alcohol; innocent people in foreign countries are being wiped out (Kosovo); The Holocaust; Hiroshima; Vietnam; poverty, starvation and oppression in third world countries; Capitalism; environmental decay and neglect; the media; Oklahoma City; the uni-bomber; earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, airplane crashes; domestic/child abuse; disease, birth defects and mental disorders. Why?Why?Why?… The question never changes and is asked over and over and over and
Has anyone ever noticed when a pencil is put into a clear glass full of water the pencil looks bent? As most know the pencil is not really bent, your eyes are deceiving the way people actually see things. In The Possibility of Evil, a mystery short story, by Shirley Jackson, she uses parable like qualities from third person omniscient, irony, a free-floating sense of depravity, a gothic house, and a turn about in events to show that even if you are looking through a clear glass, everything is not always what it seems. Jackson shows this by using symbolism and themes: Do not judge a book by its cover and looks can be deceiving.
In the Possibility of evil this book has very many twist and turns all through out this story . With revenge and karma just around the corner. In the Possibility of Evil by shirley jackson it is clear that what goes around comes around comes because she wrote mean letter to her neighbors, which caused them to cut down and destroy her garden; but she was also mean and rude to the kids in her neighborhood. The counter claim in this story is treat other the way you want to be treated. In this story the theme is what goes around comes around, and karma coming back at you.
A common phrase that many people learn in their youth is “never judge a book by its cover.” This figure of speech is usually meant to teach others to give something a chance before immediately dismissing it; however, the phrase can also take on a darker interpretation and be used as a warning to not trust everything that meets the eye. Miss Adela Strangeworth in Shirley Jackson’s “The Possibility of Evil” lives up to the dark irony of that phrase as the story unfolds. Jackson uses irony throughout many elements of her story to illustrate how evil can be masked by an amiable façade.
In the short story “The Possibility of Evil,” by Shirley Jackson used several symbols to tell the story about Miss Strangeworth. One symbol used in the story are the roses. The roses represent something valuable to Miss.Strangeworth, the roses are like her little kids and they have a sentimental meaning to her because their from her great grandmother. She also used the symbol Pleasant Street which seems like that street is full of nice people and nice houses. The Third symbol is the title, in the title it gives you a hint of what the story might be and it might be about evil and it was. By using all these symbols, Shirley Jackson achieves to tell a good story about Miss.strangeworth. Artists use symbols because it helps telling a story and
We all like to look at things that appeal our preferences. But sometimes, appearances can deceive us, such as a good deal you may see. One common example would be online shopping. The price that is offered upfront is very appealing, all until it comes down to the final cost after including shipping and handling, taxes, or any other unmentioned expenses. Or maybe a movie that has an interesting trailer, but the actual film as a whole was not as good as it appeared to be. Instead of judging at first glance, one should first investigate and then make a decision after their analysis. The main characters in the short stories “Lamb to the Slaughter”, by Roald Dahl and, “The Possibility of Evil”, by Shirley Jackson, should have known this lesson. In “Lamb to the Slaughter,” Mary Maloney is a kind housewife this sweet who loves her husband dearly, but changes to a bitter and angry widow after her husband leaves her. In “The Possibility of Evil,” Miss Strangeworth appears to be a kind elderly lady, but behind close doors, she is the complete opposite. After reading both stories, the readers learn that even though something may appear one way, it can turn out to be something completely different than we expected. True colors are not always revealed at first sight.
The argument for the existence of God has been a debate for many centuries. God, in terms of philosophy, must be a supernatural being that: is all-knowing, is all-powerful, and is all-good. Theists believe God exists based on these terms; atheists on the other hand don’t believe in God. Atheists believe that if there is evil present in the universe, then there is no possible way God can exist if he is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. Evil is defined in three different categories: human evil (evil we humans cause), natural evil (not in our control, of the Earth), and sufferings of the heart (not necessarily human/natural evil). The argument for the problem of evil is that God doesn’t exist because evil exists. In
The problem of evil as suffering is a problem of what to do with the obstacle for the believer but also an obstacle to unbeliever to converge because they do not think it harmonising. In contradiction to compatibility, an atheist often suggested that the present of evil entails the absence of God. Atheist argued, if God exists, then as an omnipotent, he is able to prevent the evil occurrence. For omniscient, it implies under any circumstances evil will occur if he does not act. Then, being perfectly good, he will prevent its occurrence and so evil will not exist. Based on this above proclamation, the existence of God does not compatible with the evil of whatever kind. However, theists response to this logical problem of evil by an atheist is that necessarily perfectly good being, foreseeing the occurrence of evil and able to prevent it, will prevent evil. The essay will first, define what evil is according to Swinburne as one of the philosopher of religion, Second, Swinburne four categories of evil will be discussed (Physical evil, mental evil, state evil, moral evil). Third, Phillip logical and existential problem evil will be discussed through. How will all these above assertions be a problem to those that and does not believe in God.
One of the oldest dilemmas in philosophy is also one of the greatest threats to Christian theology. The problem of evil simultaneously perplexes the world’s greatest minds and yet remains palpably close to the hearts of the most common people. If God is good, then why is there evil? The following essay describes the problem of evil in relation to God, examines Christian responses to the problem, and concludes the existence of God and the existence of evil are fully compatible.
The problem of evil is the notion that, how can an all-good, all-powerful, all-loving God exists when evil seems to exist also. The problem of evil also gives way to the notion that if hell exists then God must be evil for sending anyone there. I believe both of these ideas that God can exist while there is evil and God is not evil for sending anyone to hell. I believe hell exists in light of the idea that God is holy and just. The larger is how anyone can go to heaven. I will try to answer the problem of evil with regards to the problem of heaven and hell.
When we are discussing the problem of evil, we are specifically discussing a God that is omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly good. A God that is perfectly good would not allow suffering to exist, and any minute amount of suffering that exists disproves God’s existence. Unless, the suffering is justified with an adequate reason. However, even then there seems to be large amounts of evil in the world that seems unnecessary for any good reason. By evil and suffering I mean death, pain, and disease. I will be using these terms interchangeably. In the problem of evil, many arguments are placed in order to find a justification for the evil that exists. However,
with some evil in it. Better? Why would God being so good and concerned about
How did we get here? That question leads to two possibilities that, in my mind, both lead to the same conclusion. Either we are a product of the big bang or a product of divine creation…in which both have to have been put into motion by a higher power. This power and reason is so absolute, good, and great that we, as humans, cannot comprehend.
There are many different ideas of what is considered “good” and what is considered “evil”. I believe that by human standards good is doing what is right even when nobody's watching and evil is the sin in everybody. Good has been here from the time that God made the Earth until Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and sin entered the world. People should deal with these by knowing what is wrong and right. On my face I put a quote that says don’t wish for it, work for it to mean that I work hard but sometimes I can get lazy with my work, so that is why I put a Garfield on the other side to signify laziness.
I believe that for evil to exist one must also believe that good also exists. But, something like this is subjective. An example can be seen in religion. One could argue that some religions are based on the fact that for good to exist it must conquer the war with evil. Two sides to one argument. Someone could steal bread for their family but in the context of the law and some minds would be seen as, "evil". Some minds might also see war to be the product of evil. Other believe war to a product of man that will and always will happen due to our violent nature. Evil is subjective to how it's viewed based upon prior experiences.