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 2
... your cover or logo of choice . For more information , please contact Cosimo at info@cosimobooks.com . Cover Design by www.popshopstudio.com ISBN : 978-1-61640-295-2 It follows manifestly that true piety and even true felicity.
... your cover or logo of choice . For more information , please contact Cosimo at info@cosimobooks.com . Cover Design by www.popshopstudio.com ISBN : 978-1-61640-295-2 It follows manifestly that true piety and even true felicity.
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... choices or decrees . What material does the finite mind supply for an analogical picture of the infinite mind making choices or decrees ? If we use such language of God , we are using language which has its first and natural application ...
... choices or decrees . What material does the finite mind supply for an analogical picture of the infinite mind making choices or decrees ? If we use such language of God , we are using language which has its first and natural application ...
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... choice . When , however , we think freely or perform deliberate acts , there is not only force but choice in our activity . Choice between what ? Between alternative possi- bilities arising out of our situation . And choice in virtue of ...
... choice . When , however , we think freely or perform deliberate acts , there is not only force but choice in our activity . Choice between what ? Between alternative possi- bilities arising out of our situation . And choice in virtue of ...
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... choices , for a determined choice is not a choice . But if we do not ourselves exercise real choice in any degree , then we have no clue to what any choice would be : and if so , we have no power of conceiving divine choice , either ...
... choices , for a determined choice is not a choice . But if we do not ourselves exercise real choice in any degree , then we have no clue to what any choice would be : and if so , we have no power of conceiving divine choice , either ...
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... choice we are now referring to seems to be an intuitive turning away from an infinite , or at least indefinite , range of less attractive possibility . And such is the nature of the divine creative choice . The consequence of such a ...
... choice we are now referring to seems to be an intuitive turning away from an infinite , or at least indefinite , range of less attractive possibility . And such is the nature of the divine creative choice . The consequence of such a ...
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