“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis:
Epicurus, the ancient Greek philosopher, poses a thought-provoking argument about the nature of God and the existence of evil. Through a series of rhetorical questions, he challenges the traditional understanding of God's omnipotence, benevolence, and the presence of evil in the world. This quote questions the compatibility of an all-powerful, all-loving deity with the existence of suffering and wrongdoing. It invites readers to ponder the philosophical problem known as theodicy - the reconciliation of God's goodness with the existence of evil. Epicurus' inquiry challenges the concept of a perfect deity in the face of human suffering and the presence of evil in the world.
Modern Relevance: Examining theodicy through Epicurus' words
Epicurus' quote raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of God and the existence of evil in the world. In a modern context, this quote continues to spark debate and reflection on theodicy, belief systems, and the concept of a higher power.
Epicurus on the Nature of God and Evil
"“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?” - Epicurus"
Reflection Questions on Epicurus' Quote
Epicurus' quote raises important questions about the nature of God and the existence of evil in the world. Reflecting on these questions can lead to deeper philosophical discussions about faith, morality, and the meaning of existence. Consider the following questions:
- What is your understanding of God's omnipotence and benevolence, and how do you reconcile any perceived contradictions in those characteristics?
- How do you personally grapple with the existence of evil in the world, especially in relation to your beliefs about God?
- Do you believe that the presence of evil in the world challenges the concept of a loving and all-powerful God, or do you see it as part of a greater divine plan?
- In what ways do you think the existence of evil can impact one's faith or understanding of God?
- How do you reconcile the coexistence of suffering and goodness in the world, and what role do you believe God plays in this balance?
Similar quotes
“The gods can either take away evil from the world and will not, or, being willing to do so cannot; or they neither can nor will, or lastly, they are able and willing.If they have the will to remove evil and cannot, then they are not omnipotent. If they can but will not, then they are not benevolent. If they are neither able nor willing, they are neither omnipotent nor benevolent.Lastly, if they are both able and willing to annihilate evil, why does it exist?”
“Epicurus's old questions are still unanswered: Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? then whence evil?”
“To require God to prove that He is able and willing to fulfill His promises would be proof positive that one does not trust Him.”
“If any human concious able to define the God then he exactly don't know about the God. If willing to describe then he is beliver of the God. Because The God is unable to describe, if described then not about God. Because God is unable to describe, thats why there is God. The supreme power.”
“every man is free to rise as far as he's able or willing, but the degree to which he thinks determines the degree to which he'll rise.”
“And finally - he was neither able nor willing to prevent it - the self-loathing dammed up inside him spilled over and gushed out, gushed out of glaring eyes that grew ever grimmer, angrier, beneath the rim of his cap, flooding the outside world as perfect, vulgar hate.”