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If there is a God, how can Evil exist?
Boethius, a Roman Christian philosopher of the 6th century, proposes an interesting thought in his most famous work, The Consolation of Philosophy. Boethius in his dialogue with Lady Philosophy about a number of different topics such as true goodness and providence, questions why an innocent man such as himself is being punished. Most importantly, hequestions why evil exists in the world if there exists a divinity that is “all good”. In his discussion with Lady Philosophy, Boethius denies the existence of God. However, denying the existence of God is difficult. As a result, Boethius argues that God does not eliminate every instance of evil because it can bring about a greater good and that evil exists because false goods prevent people from seeingwhat is truly good. These statements lead to two objections: one being that God does not induce suffering intentionally by allowing evil and the other being that if God is omnipotent, he should be able to design the human mind to choose against evil.
Boethius states that if God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent, then evil should not be present in this world. However, evil does exist.Therefore, Boethius based on his earlier premises, states that God does not exist. Since God has all this power and is full of goodness, God should be able to remove every instance of evil in the universe. In addition, God would have every intention of eliminating evil since God himself is all good and powerful. Therefore, the existence of evil suggests that God cannot exist. Boethius tells LadyPhilosophy that the greatest cause of his sorrow is “the fact that evil things can exist at all, or that they can pass unpunished, when the helmsman of all things is good” (Boethius 91). Boethius also goes on to say that “when gross wickedness thrives and has domination, that not only does virtue go without its true rewards, but it is even forced to grovel at the feet of lawless men and to beground beneath their heel, subjected to the punishments as if for crimes committed” (Boethius 91). Boethius suggests that if God is “all good”, then how can he allow all of this evil to exist? How is virtue not rewarded, but punished by the evil people in society? How is it possible that evil people are rewarded and powerful in comparison to those who perform virtuous deeds? All of these questions anddoubts presented by Boethius lead him to believe that it is possible that God cannot exist. Since denying God’s existence is outrageous to say the least, Boethius decided to come up with reasons that would allow evil to exist in a world ruled by a God who is all good.
Boethius introduces his first reasoning on how evil can exist in the presence of God after a discussion with Lady Philosophyregarding the essence of true happiness. After Boethius’ claim that evil people seem powerful in compared to the good, Lady Philosophy tells Boethius “good people are always powerful, while evil people are always disreputable and unable to sustain themselves; that vices are never without punishment, and virtues never without reward” (Boethius 92). Lady Philosophy goes on to explain to Boethius thatsince happiness is the highest good, it cannot be found in temporary things such as wealth or power because these kinds of goods can be taken away. Happiness is to be found in the ultimate good, which is God alone. Lady Philosophy tells Boethius to view his imprisonment as an opportunity to reflect on what is really true and to realize that material objects do not provide a human being withhappiness. Misfortune has befallen Boethius in order to bring to his attention something important that will lead him in the right direction. Boethius is in a position to realize that only God can provide him with happiness. Through his imprisonment, Boethius comes to the realization that the removal of all his wealth, pleasure, and belongings has opened his eyes to the possibility of finding...