Free Will Defence
A response to the Problem of Evil arguing that moral evil is the necessary consequence of human free will. God gave humans free will (essential to genuine moral choice and love); genuine freedom logically includes the possibility of evil choices. God cannot create free beings who necessarily do only good. Therefore, evil's existence is consistent with omnipotence and benevolence.
Real World
Plantinga's argument gained renewed public attention when philosopher Antony Flew — one of the twentieth century's leading atheists — acknowledged in 2004 that the Free Will Defence removed the logical contradiction he had long relied upon.
Exam Focus
Credit Plantinga by name; examiners award AO1 marks for accurate attribution, and AO2 marks for applying his distinction between free and determined action.
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