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How far can responsibility for suffering and evil lie with both God and humans? - Scottish Highers Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies - Question 3 - 2023
Question 3
How far can responsibility for suffering and evil lie with both God and humans?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:How far can responsibility for suffering and evil lie with both God and humans? - Scottish Highers Religious Moral and Philosophical Studies - Question 3 - 2023
Step 1
How far can responsibility for suffering and evil lie with God?
Answer
The responsibility of God in suffering and evil is a deeply philosophical question. Many argue that if God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent, then He must bear some responsibility for the existence of evil. This idea is often explored through the Theodicy, which seeks to justify God's goodness despite the presence of suffering. One argument is the Free Will Defense, which posits that God gave humans free will, allowing them to choose between good and evil. By granting us free agency, He allows for the possibility of suffering to exist as a consequence of our choices. Therefore, while God may not directly cause suffering, His granting of free will is a catalyst for it.
Step 2
How far can responsibility for suffering and evil lie with humans?
Answer
Humans hold a significant responsibility for suffering and evil, particularly through their choices and actions. Moral evil, as a result of human decisions, directly impacts others and leads to suffering. For example, wars, discrimination, and environmental destruction are direct outcomes of human actions motivated by greed or hatred. Moreover, humans may fail to take action against known injustices, thus indirectly contributing to suffering. The philosophy of personal responsibility emphasizes that individuals must acknowledge their role in perpetuating suffering and strive for change, suggesting that while God may set the stage, humans play a central role in the drama of suffering.