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 19
... admit soul in man , but he still denied the substantial unity of the human body . It was put together like a watch , it was many things , not one : if Descartes had lived in our time , he would have been delighted to compare it with a ...
... admit soul in man , but he still denied the substantial unity of the human body . It was put together like a watch , it was many things , not one : if Descartes had lived in our time , he would have been delighted to compare it with a ...
Page 21
... admitting and denying the reality of the soul's incarnation . What , then , was to be done ? Descartes's rivals and successors attempted several solutions , which it would be too long to examine here . They dissatisfied Leibniz and they ...
... admitting and denying the reality of the soul's incarnation . What , then , was to be done ? Descartes's rivals and successors attempted several solutions , which it would be too long to examine here . They dissatisfied Leibniz and they ...
Page 40
... admit it if it were to be extended to man ; that is , if anyone were to assert that God was able to form such bodies as would mechanically do whatever we see other men do . By denying this we do not pretend to limit the power and ...
... admit it if it were to be extended to man ; that is , if anyone were to assert that God was able to form such bodies as would mechanically do whatever we see other men do . By denying this we do not pretend to limit the power and ...
Page 58
... admit what they believed repellent to his goodness . The Socinians and Conrad Vorstius lean towards that side ; and Thomas Bonartes , an English Jesuit disguised under a pseudonym but exceedingly learned , who wrote a book De Concordia ...
... admit what they believed repellent to his goodness . The Socinians and Conrad Vorstius lean towards that side ; and Thomas Bonartes , an English Jesuit disguised under a pseudonym but exceedingly learned , who wrote a book De Concordia ...
Page 66
... admit the supernatural here only in the beginning of things , in respect of the first formation of animals or in respect of the original constitution of pre - established harmony between the soul and the body . Once that has come to ...
... admit the supernatural here only in the beginning of things , in respect of the first formation of animals or in respect of the original constitution of pre - established harmony between the soul and the body . Once that has come to ...
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