[Neo]

In a mechanistic universe free will is ultimately an illusion anyway. Not even the randomness of quantum mechanics can change that. But regardless our will is a result of our complex intellegence which in turn is a result of evolution. It was not given to us by an invisible man who lives in the clouds.

I agree pain and suffering do cause us to be stronger as well as provide us with the ability to know and appreciate joy. That just proves that they are dependent on each other and are really two sides to the same coin. We can no more seperate ourselves from evil than we can detach our heads. This is all moot though since good and evil are just mental conceptions that have no independent reality. Good is not some substance floating around in the air, it's just a label we use to classify actions. Things that are considered evil actually seem to be doing some good for us.