The Thomistic Institute
Does Evil Disprove God I Professor W. Matthews Grant
Nov 1, 2023
W. Matthews Grant, a professor and chair in the Department of Philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, discusses the problem of evil and its implications for the existence of God. He explores different types of evil, delves into the nature of natural evil and its connection to material objects, and explores the hierarchy of goods and evils. Grant also raises questions about why God allows evil to exist and explores the relationship between evil and the realization of good.
48:03
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Quick takeaways
- Natural evil serves a purpose in the creation of a material universe and contributes to the perfection of the ecosystem.
- God permits moral evil to enable the realization of significant moral and spiritual goods, such as acts of forgiveness and justice.
Deep dives
Reasons for Permitting Natural Evil
Natural evil, such as corruption and decay, is part of the package of creating a material universe. It comes along with the good of creating an ecosystem where the actions of one material thing tend to come at the expense of others. By permitting natural evil, God allows for the existence of goods that depend on it and contribute to the perfection of the universe, such as the flourishing of fire at the expense of consuming oxygen.
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