If God really does exist as an all-knowing, all-powerful, wholly-benevolent being, then how can the theist explain the existence of pain and suffering in the world? Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Is he able, but not willing? If he is both able and willing, whence then evil. And if he is neither able nor willing, why call Him God at all? What is ‘evil’ anyway? Does it really exist? Are there different kinds of evil? If so, how do these differences affect the so-called problem of evil? Is the existence of pain and suffering logically incompatible with the existence of God? Or is there some way to rationally reconcile the existence of evil with the existence of God? Even if there is some way to resolve the apparent inconsistency, doesn’t the existence of evil at least make the existence of God improbable? Given the tremendous amount of senseless pain and suffering evident in the world, isn’t it highly unlikely that a benevolent God exists?

Does God exist? What are the arguments that have been offered for the existence of God? Are they like other kinds of philosophical arguments? Are they a priori arguments? a posteriori arguments? Transcendental arguments? Inferences to the best explanation? Are some arguments for the existence of god better than others? If so, what are they and why? Can we infer the existence of god from the idea of god alone– without any appeal to experience? Or would it be better to try and infer the existence of god from the effects of god supposedly evidenced in the world? What are the arguments for the existence of god meant to establish, anyway? Is the existence of god something that can be demonstrably proven? Or are the arguments for the existence of god only probabilistic arguments? Are they meant to convince non-believers to join the club? Or are they primarily intended to provide the believer with some kind of rational basis for their own theological beliefs?

What is Intelligent Design Theory? Is Intelligent Design Theory a scientific theory? Why or why not? If so, is it a good theory? What is the philosophical significance of the debate about intelligent design? How is Intelligent Design Theory different from other theories or theses involving design? What claims are Intelligent Design Theorists committed to? What claims are they not committed to? What is the explanatory aim of Intelligent Design Theory? Are we justified in teaching Intelligent Design Theory in public schools? What would make it justified or unjustified? Do certain religious views force one to decide between intelligent design and evolution? If so, why?

Does God exist? What are the arguments that have been offered for the existence of God? Are reason and faith incompatible? What about the problem of evil? Are miracles real?

Philosophy 101 Series (Episode 6)

The Philosophy 101 Series is designed to give the beginning philosopher (or non-philosopher) a brief introduction to the basic questions, concerns and methodologies associated with the various branches of philosophical inquiry.