Executive Briefing: Philo’s Razor
Published posthumously in 1779, David Hume’s masterpiece dismantled the teleological argument from design, proving that inferring an omnipotent, loving deity from a flawed, predator-filled universe is an unwarranted inductive leap.
1. The Problem of Natural Evil
Hume’s famous formulation: *”Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”*
2. References
- Hume, D. (1779). Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion. London.