Gratuitous Suffering
What Gratuitous Suffering means in Religious Studies A-Level, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Gratuitous Suffering
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Gratuitous Suffering in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
Suffering that appears to serve no higher purpose or greater good. This is the central focus of the Evidential Problem of Evil.
Topics that use Gratuitous Suffering
- Philosophy of Religion (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Epistemic Distance
- Eschatological Verification
- Mystical Experience
- Numinous
- Principle of Credulity
- Privatio Boni
- Reductionism
- Soul-Making
Using Gratuitous Suffering in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Religious Studies questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge