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 30
... choose , and those of us who are in authority make decrees . What is to choose ? It involves a real freedom in the mind . A finite mind , let us remem- ber , is nothing but a self - operating succession of perceptions , ideas , or ...
... choose , and those of us who are in authority make decrees . What is to choose ? It involves a real freedom in the mind . A finite mind , let us remem- ber , is nothing but a self - operating succession of perceptions , ideas , or ...
Page 31
... choose . But if God does not choose between intrinsic possibilities of some kind , his choice becomes something absolutely meaning- less to us - it is not a choice at all , it is an arbitrary and unin- telligible fiat . Leibniz's ...
... choose . But if God does not choose between intrinsic possibilities of some kind , his choice becomes something absolutely meaning- less to us - it is not a choice at all , it is an arbitrary and unin- telligible fiat . Leibniz's ...
Page 55
... choose ; when it is a question of a marriage being arranged , of a war being undertaken , of a battle being fought ; for in these cases many will be inclined to evade the difficulty of consideration and abandon themselves to fate or to ...
... choose ; when it is a question of a marriage being arranged , of a war being undertaken , of a battle being fought ; for in these cases many will be inclined to evade the difficulty of consideration and abandon themselves to fate or to ...
Page 61
... chooses the best , does not act by an absolute necessity , and that the laws of nature laid down by God , founded upon the fitness of things , keep the mean between geometrical truths , absolutely necessary , and arbitrary decrees ...
... chooses the best , does not act by an absolute necessity , and that the laws of nature laid down by God , founded upon the fitness of things , keep the mean between geometrical truths , absolutely necessary , and arbitrary decrees ...
Page 74
... chooses nothing from caprice and as though by chance or in pure indifference ; but the general reasons of good and of order , which have prompted him to the choice , may be overcome in some cases by stronger reasons of a superior order ...
... chooses nothing from caprice and as though by chance or in pure indifference ; but the general reasons of good and of order , which have prompted him to the choice , may be overcome in some cases by stronger reasons of a superior order ...
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