The first proof for God’s existenceThe first proof for God’s existence

I have an idea of God (an infinite, perfect I have an idea of God (an infinite, perfect being.being.The cause of an idea must have as much The cause of an idea must have as much formal reality as objectively contained in formal reality as objectively contained in the ideathe ideaOnly God has as much formal reality as is Only God has as much formal reality as is contained (represented by) the idea of contained (represented by) the idea of GodGodTherefore God exists.Therefore God exists.

Meditation 3 shows that God existsMeditation 3 shows that God exists

If God exists (as a perfect, infinite being), If God exists (as a perfect, infinite being), then it follows that God is not a deceiverthen it follows that God is not a deceiver

(being a deceiver is an imperfection)(being a deceiver is an imperfection)

Therefore, I can trust my cognitive facultiesTherefore, I can trust my cognitive faculties

The skeptical problems of Meditation 1 have The skeptical problems of Meditation 1 have been solved.. BUT there is a problembeen solved.. BUT there is a problem

The argument proves TOO MUCHThe argument proves TOO MUCH

If God is really infinite and perfect, and If God is really infinite and perfect, and God created me, then it seems I should God created me, then it seems I should never be in error.never be in error.

But I am sometimes in errorBut I am sometimes in error

How is this possible?How is this possible?

Judgment has two componentsJudgment has two components

One is the idea that the mind (the One is the idea that the mind (the understanding) hasunderstanding) has

The other is an act of the will that affirms or The other is an act of the will that affirms or denies the idea.denies the idea.

Since we are not perfect, we do not Since we are not perfect, we do not completely grasp all our ideas (can’t blame completely grasp all our ideas (can’t blame God here)God here)

But because our will is free, we can affirm or But because our will is free, we can affirm or deny ideas that are not clearly grasped. deny ideas that are not clearly grasped.

Error is not God’s fault, its our fault Error is not God’s fault, its our fault because we use our freedom incorrectly.because we use our freedom incorrectly.

If we only limited ourselves to those ideas If we only limited ourselves to those ideas we “clearly and distinctly” grasped we we “clearly and distinctly” grasped we would not fall into error.would not fall into error.

The problem of EvilThe problem of Evil

IF God is all good and all powerful, then IF God is all good and all powerful, then God would not create a world with evil in it.God would not create a world with evil in it.

But there is evil But there is evil

Therefore, There is no GodTherefore, There is no God

Can free will help defend against Can free will help defend against the argument from evil?the argument from evil?

Compare two worlds:Compare two worlds:

1. has free creatures and also evil1. has free creatures and also evil

2. Has no free creatures but also no evil2. Has no free creatures but also no evil

Which is better? Which is better?

The response requires that free will be good The response requires that free will be good or a necessary condition for goods, which or a necessary condition for goods, which outweigh the negative side effect of evil outweigh the negative side effect of evil choiceschoices

A revised argument from evilA revised argument from evil

If God exists, there is no gratuitous evilIf God exists, there is no gratuitous evil

There is gratuitous evil.There is gratuitous evil.

Therefore there is no God.Therefore there is no God.

IS there gratuitous evil?IS there gratuitous evil?

If free will defense works, then there is some If free will defense works, then there is some evil that is not gratuitous. evil that is not gratuitous.

What about natural evil?What about natural evil?

There is some suffering that occurs that is There is some suffering that occurs that is not the result of free choices.not the result of free choices.

Is such evil unnecessary? If so, then how Is such evil unnecessary? If so, then how could God allow it?could God allow it?

If it is necessary, then what makes it If it is necessary, then what makes it necessary. What is the good that derives necessary. What is the good that derives from suffering? from suffering?