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PHIL 201 Quiz 7: God and Evil | Questions
and Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
1. This argument is known as:
a) The evidential problem of evil
b) The logical problem of evil
c) The free will defense
d) The soul-making theodicy
Answer: b) The logical problem of evil
Rationale: The logical problem claims a logical contradiction
between the existence of God (omnipotent, omniscient,
omnibenevolent) and the existence of evil. It was famously
formulated by Epicurus and later by J.L. Mackie.
2. Which philosopher is most associated with the modern
formulation of the logical problem of evil?
a) Alvin Plantinga
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b) David Hume
c) J.L. Mackie
d) Gottfried Leibniz
Answer: c) J.L. Mackie
Rationale: In his 1955 essay “Evil and Omnipotence,” Mackie
argued that the following three propositions are inconsistent: God
is omnipotent, God is wholly good, and evil exists.
3. According to the logical problem, a theist must do which of
the following?
a) Deny that evil exists
b) Show that the three divine attributes are consistent with evil
c) Accept atheism
d) Redefine goodness
Answer: b) Show consistency
Rationale: To defeat the logical problem, the theist need not
explain why God allows specific evils; only show that it is logically
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possible for God and evil to coexist (e.g., by proposing a possible
morally sufficient reason).
4. Which response to the logical problem of evil argues that
evil is necessary for free will?
a) The free will defense
b) The skeptical theist response
c) The soul-making theodicy
d) Process theodicy
Answer: a) The free will defense
Rationale: Alvin Plantinga’s free will defense shows that it is
logically possible that God could not create a world with free
creatures who never choose evil. Thus, the logical contradiction is
broken.
5. Plantinga’s free will defense relies on the concept of:
a) Determinism
b) Compatibilism
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c) Libertarian free will
d) Hard determinism
Answer: c) Libertarian free will
Rationale: Plantinga assumes that genuine free will requires the
ability to choose otherwise. If God creates beings with libertarian
free will, God cannot guarantee they will always choose good.
6. True or False: Plantinga claims to have proven that free will
actually explains why God permits evil.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False
Rationale: Plantinga only aims to show the logical possibility – not
that free will is the actual reason. He offers a defense, not a
theodicy.
7. Mackie’s “fallacious solution” of “good cannot exist
without evil” is criticized because:
PHIL 201 Quiz 7: God and Evil | Questions
and Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
1. This argument is known as:
a) The evidential problem of evil
b) The logical problem of evil
c) The free will defense
d) The soul-making theodicy
Answer: b) The logical problem of evil
Rationale: The logical problem claims a logical contradiction
between the existence of God (omnipotent, omniscient,
omnibenevolent) and the existence of evil. It was famously
formulated by Epicurus and later by J.L. Mackie.
2. Which philosopher is most associated with the modern
formulation of the logical problem of evil?
a) Alvin Plantinga
,Page 2 of 60
b) David Hume
c) J.L. Mackie
d) Gottfried Leibniz
Answer: c) J.L. Mackie
Rationale: In his 1955 essay “Evil and Omnipotence,” Mackie
argued that the following three propositions are inconsistent: God
is omnipotent, God is wholly good, and evil exists.
3. According to the logical problem, a theist must do which of
the following?
a) Deny that evil exists
b) Show that the three divine attributes are consistent with evil
c) Accept atheism
d) Redefine goodness
Answer: b) Show consistency
Rationale: To defeat the logical problem, the theist need not
explain why God allows specific evils; only show that it is logically
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possible for God and evil to coexist (e.g., by proposing a possible
morally sufficient reason).
4. Which response to the logical problem of evil argues that
evil is necessary for free will?
a) The free will defense
b) The skeptical theist response
c) The soul-making theodicy
d) Process theodicy
Answer: a) The free will defense
Rationale: Alvin Plantinga’s free will defense shows that it is
logically possible that God could not create a world with free
creatures who never choose evil. Thus, the logical contradiction is
broken.
5. Plantinga’s free will defense relies on the concept of:
a) Determinism
b) Compatibilism
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c) Libertarian free will
d) Hard determinism
Answer: c) Libertarian free will
Rationale: Plantinga assumes that genuine free will requires the
ability to choose otherwise. If God creates beings with libertarian
free will, God cannot guarantee they will always choose good.
6. True or False: Plantinga claims to have proven that free will
actually explains why God permits evil.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False
Rationale: Plantinga only aims to show the logical possibility – not
that free will is the actual reason. He offers a defense, not a
theodicy.
7. Mackie’s “fallacious solution” of “good cannot exist
without evil” is criticized because:
