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Adams Objections To The Problem Of Horrendous Evil

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In this essay, I will explain and explore the problem of horrendous evil, which is an existential problem meaning, human existence/life is questioned. First, I will explain what the problem of horrendous evil is. Alternatively, I will then consider arguments for why the horrendous evils are understandable for religious people. On the former side, I will take into account, objections to the problem of horrendous evil and why it is flawed. Finally, I will demonstrate how Adams may respond to the objections made against her explanation for the horrendous evil. From this, I will come to the conclusion Adams problem of horrendous evil is convincing even though it has some flaws in her explanation.

Explanation of horrendous evils:
Firstly, I start …show more content…

Adams makes it clear that Atheists may object to her explanation to horrendous evils, as initially, the explanation is for theists, however, I will construct arguments to show that her explanation is still flawed. From an atheist's perspective, they may suggest that Adams is ignoring the fact that, there may not be an afterlife as a reward. There is no conclusive evidence to show that an afterlife exists, it is all beliefs which could be wrong. Adams is ignoring the facts that humans may naturally disbelief in such claims if they go through large amounts of unexplained suffering. Additional to this point, some Christians and other believers believe that not everyone will actually make it to the afterlife. Some may go to hell if you are unfaithful to God. This suggests that God is not Omnibenevolent. It is hard for someone to believe in an almighty God who is regarded as all loving but is causing this much unnecessary pain in the world. We should not excuse God for his evil when Gods characteristic conflict with his actions. Another objection is that there are unnecessary types of suffering that exist in the world. For example, a baby being murdered. A baby does not have the rationality to build a relationship with God nor there is no guarantee of an afterlife. This leads to contemplation of the existence of God because, …show more content…

Adams would argue against the uncertainty of the afterlife claim with that, religious people believe in the afterlife and she is just providing an explanation that would help religious people understand why there is horrendous evil in the world (Adams, M.M., 2000). An atheist will obviously not believe in an afterlife and state that the afterlife cannot be conclusively proven through empirical evidence. But, to justify the reasons why God permits these horrendous evils means that we need to take into account theism and religious values (Adams, M.M., 2000). For example, using the claim there is an afterlife, would potentially solve the problem of why there are evils in the world because you will have a good life in heaven. To make sense of horrendous evils means that we need to have a belief in God and have a positive view on horrendous evil otherwise you will not have a belief in God (Adams, M.M., 2000). Furthermore, Adams would suggest that this is the best life we could have because we still experience goodness in balance with evil and we can only experience the good with evil. However, it could be argued that Adams still does not really solve the problem of horrendous evils. Human understanding and knowledge are too limited to understand the problem of evil. Further questions will come to light, such as, why people do who do not have rationality

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