Originally posted by LemonJello
Such a thing as evil can be allowed to exist by a perfect God if this evil were necessary for some greater good to obtain. So, now you just need to show that it is plausible that all the evil that does exist is as such. Good luck with that....
I don't consider it as problematic as it may appear.
Most of what we call 'good' is essentially non-offensive whereas the 'evil' is offensive action against the sanctity of personal sovereignty. There exists aggressive good, wherein one actively pursues the furthering of another's happiness but such behavior is icing to the cake and not necessarily expected.
Nonetheless, the concept of a greater good isn't too hard to overcome, if one considers 'good and evil' as one system subservient to a higher rule.
Imagine the following scenario for the purpose of argument.
The commissioner owns the game--- invented it, made the rules, set the parameters--- and the only way for it to be played by any team or player is if the commissioner allows for the same to occur. At any time, at any place, for any reason, the commissioner can by fiat terminate a player's or team's play, or call the game... take his ball and go home, as it were.
Being the sporting type, the commissioner decides to coach his own team and joins the fray. Who would play against him, given his all-powerful reach? No one, unless he adopted the restraints which are placed upon all other players/coaches/teams. He commits to following the rules which he previously put forth and further commits to refraining from using his position as commissioner in order to vouchsafe the success of his team: no matter what the outcome of the game played by the rules, he will play within them instead of using his otherwise all-encompassing power.
Given that the commissioner knows the rules at least as thoroughly as any other coach or player, does it behoove him to use those rules to his team's advantage?