How likely is it that all this was created by something evil?

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
Fanman
Posts: 3258
Joined: December 14th, 2011, 9:42 am

Re: How likely is it that all this was created by something evil?

Post by Fanman »

I think that there are different ways of viewing things. In one sense the universe is neither inherently good or evil. It just operates like a machine, according to a paradigm that both produces life and destroys it. There doesn't seem to be a necessity for a “controller” or creator of the machine. In another sense, if we consider that human beings are a result of the creative forces of the universe, then we're as much a part of the universe as a galaxy or an atom.

So when we use the term “universe” we should perhaps consider that we are constituent elements of it, and since human-beings can be referred to in terms of “good” or “evil” defining our characters and actions, it could be said that the universe (qua including human-beings) is good or evil, because the universe's natural processes have created the possibility for good and evil to exist as human beings, comprised of one the factors of our intelligence. I'm not making a claim here, merely speculating. With regards to a good or evil creator, I don't think that there is one really (where is the necessity?) not in the anthropomorphic sense. Its not impossible that there could be, but if there was, why has it hidden itself from us (it's very own creations), and why would it tease us with belief by faith in myths and superstitions?

I think that the world has both positive and negative attributes, and on the whole I think that there's a balance between the two, such as the life, death and renewal of life cycle. Not everyone can be on the positive side of things, and it is understandable that someone who's suffering or in a very, very negative circumstance will see the malignant aspects of life with more prevalence. I think it follows that such a person would perceive a postulated deity-like-being as an evil entity.

However, you can't see the sun at night, and in the daytime you can't look at as it will burn your eyes, but that sucker is the source of life on this rock - implying balance.
Theists believe, agnostics ponder and atheists analyse. A little bit of each should get us the right answer.
Namelesss
Posts: 499
Joined: November 15th, 2017, 1:59 am

Re: How likely is it that all this was created by something evil?

Post by Namelesss »

Vajra wrote: February 17th, 2018, 2:07 pm How likely is it that all this was created by something evil?
Completely impossible!
Impossible in that 'causality/creation' is not scientifically, philosophically possible!

100%!
100% in that God/Universe/Self!... is ALL inclusive!
That means that even if 'evil' is a sinful judgmental thought in your own thoughts, that means that it is also 'God's' evil sinful thought!

So, God, being Omni-, One! (ALL inclusive; not anything 'else' existing, ever); the Omni- God must embody ALL 'evil' (the sum total of all 'evil' in existence, ever) as well as ALL 'good' (ditto), and everything else.
From some Perspectives, God looks like 'the Devil'.
Hawkins
Posts: 29
Joined: August 3rd, 2009, 5:31 am

Re: How likely is it that all this was created by something evil?

Post by Hawkins »

Vajra wrote: February 17th, 2018, 2:07 pm I look at this world from the viewpoint of wisdom; I see all the death, predation, pain, disease, filth, untold amounts of completely pointless suffering and so on. I do not believe that all this is the product of blind evolution and random chance, and I certainly do not believe that it is the product of a good, benevolent god. I believe that there is a wicked 'creator' behind it all (which doesn't necessarily have to be an entity, it could also be some sort of mind or awareness). He/it is insidious and uncaring, an evil sadist, or a predatory beast. The concept that this universe was created by something evil is one that very few people are able to stomach.
If there is a good, divine god, then He had no hand in creation, creation is not His work, He took no part in it.
That depends on what assumption has been made here. You simply assumed that earth is final product full of pain...etc. However, the possibility is that earth is just an interim product. Heaven is final product. In order to secure a heavenly like Heaven, earth thus exists for all kinds of evil to exist such that they can be eradicated once and for all, such that a heaven is made possible.

Moreover, it's all about what we humans can and cannot do. If such an evil god exists we can do nothing about. Then why worry. What humans need to worry is rather is good God is building a heaven and to purposely leave evil hear on earth to occur and for them to be eradicated once and for all.
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