Knowledge, Freedom, and the Problem of Evil Essay Questions

1. Explain Swinburne’s central argument providing his solution to the problem of evil. Next, explain at least one of Stump’s objections to Swinburne’s argument, and explain how Swinburne might respond to that objection. Overall, which argument is more compelling? Defend your answer.

2. Stump claims that Swinburne makes a false assumption that men can only have knowledge of the consequences of their actions by induction based on experience, because God could provide us with this knowledge. Which of these competing views is more convincing? Defend your answer.

3. Why does Stump think that the value of knowledge gained from natural evils cannot justify God’s allowing natural evils to occur? Do you agree? Why or why not?