TheodicyIn this 1710 treatise, Gottfried Liebniz's only book-length work, he applies the idea of philosophical "optimism"-that we live in the best of all possible worlds-to the "problem of evil"-If a benevolent God exists, why do terrible things happen? He explores the possibility that humanity's happiness is not necessarily part of God's plan. Much of Leibniz's thinking in the realm of the sciences flowed from his philosophy-he believed the universe to operate under simple, intelligible, interconnected rules. Understanding how he approached the metaphysical world and humanity's place in it is vital to understanding his contributions to modern science. The impact of the work of German mathematician GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ (1646-1716) on modern science and technology is all but incalculable. His notation for infinitesimal calculus-which he developed independently of Newton-remains in use today, and his invention of binary counting is the basis for modern computing. He was a powerfully influential philosopher as well, and is still considered, alongside Descartes and Spinoza, one of the great 17th-century rationalists. |
From inside the book
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Page 5
... HOBBES OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOOK CONCERNING ' THE ORIGIN REFLEXIONS ON THE WORK PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH ON ' FREEDOM , NECESSITY AND CHANCE ' OF EVIL ' , PUBLISHED RECENTLY IN LONDON 393 405 CAUSA DEI ASSERTA INDEX 443 445 EDITOR'S ...
... HOBBES OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOOK CONCERNING ' THE ORIGIN REFLEXIONS ON THE WORK PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH ON ' FREEDOM , NECESSITY AND CHANCE ' OF EVIL ' , PUBLISHED RECENTLY IN LONDON 393 405 CAUSA DEI ASSERTA INDEX 443 445 EDITOR'S ...
Page 9
... Hobbes and Spinoza . The Christian was to hold a position covered by three lines of defences . The base line was to be the substance of Christian theism and of Christian morals , and it was to be held by the forces of sheer reason ...
... Hobbes and Spinoza . The Christian was to hold a position covered by three lines of defences . The base line was to be the substance of Christian theism and of Christian morals , and it was to be held by the forces of sheer reason ...
Page 67
... Hobbes and Spinoza , of whom the former advocated this absolute necessity not only in his Physical Elements and elsewhere , but also in a special book against Bishop Bramhall . And Spinoza insists more or less ( like an ancient ...
... Hobbes and Spinoza , of whom the former advocated this absolute necessity not only in his Physical Elements and elsewhere , but also in a special book against Bishop Bramhall . And Spinoza insists more or less ( like an ancient ...
Page 71
... Hobbes and Bishop Bramhall touching Freedom and Necessity , the other of the learned work on The Origin of Evil , published a short time ago in England . Finally I have endeavoured in all things to consider edification : and if I have ...
... Hobbes and Bishop Bramhall touching Freedom and Necessity , the other of the learned work on The Origin of Evil , published a short time ago in England . Finally I have endeavoured in all things to consider edification : and if I have ...
Page 89
... geometricians will scarce be troubled by the objections of Joseph Scaliger against Archimedes , or by those of Mr. Hobbes against Euclid ; but that is because they have fully understood 89 CONFORMITY OF FAITH WITH REASON.
... geometricians will scarce be troubled by the objections of Joseph Scaliger against Archimedes , or by those of Mr. Hobbes against Euclid ; but that is because they have fully understood 89 CONFORMITY OF FAITH WITH REASON.
Contents
7 | |
49 | |
73 | |
ESSAYS ON THE JUSTICE OF GOD AND THE FREEDOM | 123 |
SUMMARY OF THE CONTROVERSY REDUCED TO FORMAL | 377 |
EXCURSUS ON THEODICY 392 | 392 |
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BOOK CONCERNING THE ORIGIN | 405 |
CAUSA DEI ASSERTA | 443 |
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Common terms and phrases
absolute according action admit already animals answer appears argument Aristotle Augsburg Confession Augustine Bayle believe body Carneades cause choice choose Chrysippus Cicero connexion consequence contingent contrary create creatures decrees Descartes determined difficulties divine doctrine dogma Epicurus equipoise eternal existence faith freedom give God's grace happen happy harmony Hobbes human ideas imperfection impossible inclination indifference infinite judgement justice kind knowledge laws Leibniz less Malebranche Manichaeans matter maxim means metaphysical metaphysical necessity mind Molinists monads moral evil motion Mysteries nature necessary necessity never nevertheless objection observed oneself opinion passage Paulicians perfect philosophers physical evil pleasure possible pre-established Pre-established Harmony principle produce prove punishment question reason reflexions Reply representation Rorarius Schoolmen sense Socinians sophism soul speak Spinoza substance sufficient Supralapsarians Theodicy theologians theology therein thereof things Thomists thought tion true truth understanding universe virtue wisdom wish Zoroaster