Trilemma facts for kids
A trilemma is a tough choice where you have three options, and all of them seem to have problems or bad outcomes. It's like being stuck between a rock, a hard place, and another hard place!
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What is a Trilemma?
A trilemma is a situation where you face three difficult choices. No matter which option you pick, there's a downside. It's similar to a dilemma, which has two difficult choices, but a trilemma adds an extra layer of complexity.
The Problem of Evil: A Famous Trilemma
One of the most famous examples of a trilemma comes from philosophy. It's often called the "problem of evil." This trilemma questions the idea of an all-powerful and all-good God.
The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus is often credited with this idea. Later, the Scottish philosopher David Hume summarized it clearly. Here's how the trilemma works:
- Option 1: If God is unable to stop bad things (evil) from happening, then God is not truly omnipotent (all-powerful).
- Option 2: If God is not willing to stop bad things from happening, then God is not truly omnibenevolent (all-good).
- Option 3: If God is both willing and able to stop bad things, then why do bad things still exist in the world?
This trilemma shows how difficult it is to explain why evil exists if there is a God who is both all-powerful and all-good. While many people link this idea to Epicurus, some thinkers believe it might have come from an early skeptic writer, possibly Carneades.
Related Ideas
Images for kids
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The Zizek Trilemma shows how hard it was to be loyal to the Communist government, honest, and smart all at the same time.
See also
In Spanish: Trilema para niños
