Jacek Wojtysiak’s Probabilistic Criticism of Argument From Evil for the Non-Existence Of God Cover Image

Jacka Wojtysiaka krytyka probabilistycznego argumentu ze zła za nieistnieniem boga
Jacek Wojtysiak’s Probabilistic Criticism of Argument From Evil for the Non-Existence Of God

Author(s): Dariusz Łukasiewicz
Subject(s): Philosophy, Special Branches of Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion
Published by: Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II
Keywords: Jacek Wotysiak; probabilistic argument from the existence of evil for the non-existence of God; criticism of the argument from the existence of evil; theistic deductive argument from the existence of

Summary/Abstract: In the article, I consider Jacek Wojtysiak’s critique of the probabilistic argument from the existence of a great fact of evil for the non-existence of God. I suggest that J. Wojtysiak’s critique of this argument should be modified in such a way that it does not lead to the conclusion that God is the cause of evil. I suggest to change the concept of God’s causality. I also point to a different way of weakening the probabilistic argument from evil than the one chosen by J. Wojtysiak. I propose to undermine the premise that evil exists, given naturalism. Next, I briefly refer to the difficulties of naturalistic moral realism and point to evolutionary arguments that debunk moral realism. In the context of these difficulties, I consider the position of Paul Draper, the pioneer of the probabilistic (Bayesian) argument from evil for atheism, and try to show some of the weaknesses of his views. I then formulate a theistic deductive argument from the existence of evil and suggest that, for reasons of simplicity, deductive over probabilistic arguments should be preferred by defenders of theism.

  • Issue Year: 71/2023
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 149-175
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Polish