Does the Existence of Gratuitous Evil Entail That God Does Not Exist?

Some philosophers have claimed that there is gratuitous evil in the world, and that the existence of gratuitous evil entails that God does not exist.

First, explain what a “gratuitous evil” is—what distinguishes a gratuitous evil from a non-gratuitous evil? Second, explain why some philosophers think that the existence of gratuitous evil entails that God does not exist?To do this, you will need to state and explain what we called the “second version” of the Argument from Evil, being sure to explain all key terms. (You don’t need to discuss version one of the Argument from Evil.) Next, explain the main theistic critique of the Argument from Evil: the Free Will Defense. What does the Free Will Defense claim? What, according to the Free Will Defense, is the main flaw in the Argument from Evil?Finally, explain what you think of the Argument from Evil and the Free Will Defense. Do you think the Free Will Defense is an adequate response to the Argument from Evil? Why or why not?

First, explain what a “gratuitous evil” is—what distinguishes a gratuitous evil from a non-gratuitous evil?

Second, explain why some philosophers think that the existence of gratuitous evil entails that God does not exist? To do this, you will need to state and explain what we called the “second version” of the Argument from Evil, being sure to explain all key terms. (You don’t need to discuss version one of the Argument from Evil.)

Next, explain the main theistic critique of the Argument from Evil: the Free Will Defense. What does the Free Will Defense claim? What, according to the Free Will Defense, is the main flaw in the Argument from Evil?

Finally, explain what you think of the Argument from Evil and the Free Will Defense. Do you think the Free Will Defense is an adequate response to the Argument from Evil? Why or why not?