Answer: doubt by some intellectuals in a beneficent nature
Explanation:
The option above might have meant to say "benevolent" nature. The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 led to the deaths of between 30,000 - 50,000 people and caused unprecedented damage.
Europe was very Christian at this point in time such that it was believed that everything happened by the Will of God. After this earthquake, some intellectuals began to doubt this and there were extensive argument on why God allows such disasters and if he is indeed benevolent.