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 36
... causes till the learned author has perfected it . I cannot apprehend the connexion of internal and spontaneous ... cause hinders it . If it were composed of several pieces , as a machine , it would act different ways , because the ...
... causes till the learned author has perfected it . I cannot apprehend the connexion of internal and spontaneous ... cause hinders it . If it were composed of several pieces , as a machine , it would act different ways , because the ...
Page 37
... cause of a change of operation ? ' Leibniz published a reply to Bayle in the Histoire des Ouvrages des Savants for ... causes them to act beyond their natural capacities . 3. On the problem , how can the simple act otherwise than ...
... cause of a change of operation ? ' Leibniz published a reply to Bayle in the Histoire des Ouvrages des Savants for ... causes them to act beyond their natural capacities . 3. On the problem , how can the simple act otherwise than ...
Page 42
... cause of an effect remains the same , the effect cannot be altered . Now this soul , at the second moment of its existence , does not receive a new faculty of think- ing ; it only preserves the faculty it had at the first moment , and ...
... cause of an effect remains the same , the effect cannot be altered . Now this soul , at the second moment of its existence , does not receive a new faculty of think- ing ; it only preserves the faculty it had at the first moment , and ...
Page 56
... causes them to have indeed that good fortune they ascribe to themselves . Even so do predictions often cause that to happen which has been foretold , as it is supposed that the opinion the Mahometans hold on fate makes them resolute ...
... causes them to have indeed that good fortune they ascribe to themselves . Even so do predictions often cause that to happen which has been foretold , as it is supposed that the opinion the Mahometans hold on fate makes them resolute ...
Page 57
... cause that will make it happen is written also . Thus the connexion of effects and causes , so far from establishing the doctrine of a necessity detri- mental to conduct , serves to overthrow it . Yet , without having evil intentions ...
... cause that will make it happen is written also . Thus the connexion of effects and causes , so far from establishing the doctrine of a necessity detri- mental to conduct , serves to overthrow it . Yet , without having evil intentions ...
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