Epicurean paradox Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Epicurus is credited with coining the Epicurean paradox describing the conclusion that the existence of evil is incompatible with the existence of God.The paradox posits that:
- If God exists, then he is all-powerful.
- If God exists, then he is good.
- If God is all-powerful and good, then there would be no evil.
- There is evil.
- Therefore God does not exist.
Defenses
A number of defenses to the Epicurean paradox have been raised, most notably the free-will defence. These defenses comprise the field of theodicy.
The fifth century theologian St. Augustine of Hippo mounted one of the most pervasive defenses for the existence of God against the Epicurean paradox. In “On Free Choice of the Will,” Augustine attacks Epicurus‘ formulation of theodicy for ignoring the potential benefits of suffering in the world.
The problem of evil exists only when God is defined as being simultaneously omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent (or benevolent at all), but does not exist otherwise, thus another defense to the Epicurean paradox is the assertion that God is not omnipotent or omniscient.