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. |
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Page 12
... scientifically inadequate . At the same time they went too far , and carried metaphysical paradox beyond the limits of human credulity . There is no mystery about Leibniz's scientific objections to the 12 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
... scientifically inadequate . At the same time they went too far , and carried metaphysical paradox beyond the limits of human credulity . There is no mystery about Leibniz's scientific objections to the 12 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
Page 13
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Austin M. Farrer. There is no mystery about Leibniz's scientific objections to the new philosophers . If he condemned them here , it was on the basis of scientific thought and observation . Descartes's ...
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Austin M. Farrer. There is no mystery about Leibniz's scientific objections to the new philosophers . If he condemned them here , it was on the basis of scientific thought and observation . Descartes's ...
Page 50
... mysteries consisted not in difficult dogmas but in certain secret observances , whence the profane , namely those who were not initiated , were excluded . These observances were very often ridiculous and absurd , and it was necessary to ...
... mysteries consisted not in difficult dogmas but in certain secret observances , whence the profane , namely those who were not initiated , were excluded . These observances were very often ridiculous and absurd , and it was necessary to ...
Page 75
... Mysteries of religion are contrary to appearances . Now M. Bayle declares , in his posthumous Reply to M. le Clerc , that he does not claim that there are demonstrations contrary to the truths of faith : and as a result all these ...
... Mysteries of religion are contrary to appearances . Now M. Bayle declares , in his posthumous Reply to M. le Clerc , that he does not claim that there are demonstrations contrary to the truths of faith : and as a result all these ...
Page 76
... Mysteries by reason ; for all that which can be proved a priori , or by pure reason , can be comprehended . All that remains for us then , after having believed in the Mysteries by reason of the proofs of the truth of religion ( which ...
... Mysteries by reason ; for all that which can be proved a priori , or by pure reason , can be comprehended . All that remains for us then , after having believed in the Mysteries by reason of the proofs of the truth of religion ( which ...
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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