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Speakers:
Fábio Bertato, University of Campinas, Brazil
https://www.cle.unicamp.br/cle/pt-br/fabio-bertatoand
Gesiel da Silva, University of Missouri, USA
Title: Can God be All-Good, All-Knowing, and All-Controlling? A New Solution to the Logical Problem of Evil
Abstract: The logical problem of evil challenges the coherence of classical theism by asserting an incompatibility between the existence of evil and
the divine attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. In this paper, we present a novel resolution through a formal framework.
We begin by demonstrating the incompatibility between divine omnibenevolence and religious determinism, concluding that determinism must be
rejected to preserve the coherence of theistic belief. We then construct a first-order theory (LdM) that formalizes the divine attributes and the
classification of situations as good or evil. A set-theoretical interpretation of LdM confirms its consistency, neutralizing the logical problem of evil
as traditionally framed. Extending this framework to LdM*, we introduce distinctions among God’s deliberate, desired, and permissive wills, along
with a broader understanding of divine knowledge, encompassing both actual and possible states of affairs. Our expanded theory affirms the logical
consistency of the God of classical theism as All-Good, All-Knowing, and All-Controlling, reconciling divine attributes with the presence of evil in the
world. This approach allows us to offer a robust logical theodicy, addressing a fundamental philosophical challenge while respecting moral freedom.
Associate Organization
CLE-UNICAMP, Centre of Logic, University of Campinas, Brazil
presented by its current coordinator
Marcelo Coniglio
Chair: Itala D'Ottaviano, editorial board LU
Everybody is welcome to attend, register here
Jean-Yves Beziau
Founder and organizer of the Logica Universalis Webinar
Editor-in-Chief Logica Universalis