Good, Evil, and Suffering

    AQA
    GCSE

    This study component necessitates a rigorous examination of the philosophical and theological tensions between the existence of evil and the classical attributes of the God of Classical Theism. Candidates must evaluate the Logical Problem of Evil (Inconsistent Triad) and the Evidential Problem of Evil (gratuitous suffering). Analysis must cover key theodicies—specifically Augustinian and Irenaean/Hickian—and their critics. The scope extends to the distinction between natural and moral evil, the Free Will Defence, and the challenge posed by secular ethical frameworks.

    6
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • The Inconsistent Triad (Omnipotence, Omnibenevolence, Evil)
    • Original Sin / The Fall (Genesis 3)
    • The Free Will Defence (St. Augustine)
    • The Vale of Soul Making (Irenaeus/Hick)
    • Job 1:21 ('The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away')
    • Surah 2:155 ('We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger')

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You identified the teaching, but you must explain *how* it responds to the problem of evil to gain full AO1 marks"
    • "Your evaluation is unbalanced; include a robust counter-argument (e.g., the extent of innocent suffering) to access Level 3"
    • "Explicitly distinguish between natural and moral evil to demonstrate precise theological understanding"
    • "Your conclusion repeats the points made; instead, weigh the arguments to decide which is most persuasive and why"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for the explicit distinction between moral evil (human agency) and natural evil (environmental factors)
    • Credit responses that accurately cite sources of wisdom (e.g., Job 1:21, Surah 2:155) to support theological arguments
    • Candidates must demonstrate understanding of the 'Inconsistent Triad' (Mackie) when discussing God's attributes
    • In 12-mark answers, reward logical chains of reasoning that evaluate the strength of a theodicy rather than merely describing it

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 5-mark questions, use the PER structure (Point, Explain, Reference) to guarantee the mark for 'reference to sacred writing'
    • 💡In 12-mark essays, ensure the conclusion provides a justified judgment on the validity of the statement, not just a summary
    • 💡Allocate exactly 15 minutes for the 12-mark question; rushing this sacrifices 50% of the section's total marks
    • 💡Memorize versatile quotes like Psalm 119:71 ('It was good for me to be afflicted') to apply across multiple suffering contexts

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'moral evil' with general 'sin' without linking it specifically to the suffering caused to others
    • Asserting 'God tests people' as a blanket statement without identifying the specific religious tradition (e.g., Islam) or context
    • Providing a one-sided argument in 'Evaluate' questions, which caps the mark at Level 2 (maximum 6/12)
    • Failing to include a specific reference to sacred writing in 5-mark questions, resulting in a cap of 2 marks

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

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    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Give
    Explain
    Contrast
    Refer to
    Evaluate
    State

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