Better than Nothing: A Free Will Defense of Theism
Date
2018-12
Authors
Hamilton, Christopher
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Abstract
This paper is a defense of theism that addresses the arguments made by J.L. Mackie on the topic of God’s existence. Mackie and some other philosophers allege that the beliefs in both the existence of an all-good, all-powerful God and evil are contradictory. I aim to show that there is no contradiction. In this paper, I will argue that some of the evil that exists in the world may be allowed because of justifying reasons in the form of free will and feelings like sympathy and courage that come from both freedom of choice and the existence of evil. Evil in its most basic form is anything that causes suffering, injustice, or displeasure, such as famine, murder, and disease. God would need a good reason to allow any evil, and the purpose of this paper is to present the modest claim that God would be justified in allowing at least some evil to occur. I will also respond to Mackie’s intervention argument, his saint’s objection, and the argument against creation.
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Keywords
problem of evil, religious philosophy, free will defense, philosophy, free will
Citation
Hamilton, C. (2018). Better than nothing: A free will defense of theism (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.