Problems of evil and suffering

The problem of evil and suffering is one of the most significant challenges to religious belief, particularly within theistic traditions like Christianity and Islam. It questions how an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God can allow evil and suffering to exist. This topic is central to the Edexcel A-Level Religious Studies course, as it explores philosophical arguments (the logical and evidential problems) and theological responses (theodicies and free will defences). Understanding this debate is crucial for evaluating the coherence of theism and for engaging with broader issues of morality, justice, and the nature of God.

The topic is divided into two main types of evil: moral evil (caused by human actions, e.g., murder, war) and natural evil (caused by natural processes, e.g., earthquakes, disease). Philosophers like Epicurus, David Hume, and J.L. Mackie have formulated powerful arguments against the existence of God based on evil, while theologians like Augustine, Irenaeus, and Alvin Plantinga have developed responses. The debate also involves modern thinkers such as John Hick and Richard Swinburne, who offer soul-making and free will defences. Mastery of this topic requires critical analysis of these arguments and an ability to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.

This topic fits into the wider subject by connecting to themes of the nature of God, religious experience, and the problem of religious language. It also links to ethical theories (e.g., utilitarianism, Kantian ethics) when considering responses to suffering. For A-Level students, engaging with the problem of evil develops skills in logical reasoning, evaluation of evidence, and understanding of diverse perspectives. It is a high-scoring area if students can demonstrate precise knowledge of key thinkers and nuanced evaluation.