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 20
... create no energy - it could merely re- direct the currents actually flowing . , Practically this might do , but speculatively it was most dis- turbing . For if the ' loose relation ' had to be admitted in one instance , it was admitted ...
... create no energy - it could merely re- direct the currents actually flowing . , Practically this might do , but speculatively it was most dis- turbing . For if the ' loose relation ' had to be admitted in one instance , it was admitted ...
Page 29
... . They must be understood to be volitions or decrees . There are indeed two ways in which things obey the divine thought , and correspondingly two sorts of divine thoughts that they obey . In so far as created 29 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
... . They must be understood to be volitions or decrees . There are indeed two ways in which things obey the divine thought , and correspondingly two sorts of divine thoughts that they obey . In so far as created 29 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
Page 30
... created things conform to the mere universal principles of reason , they obey a reasonableness which is an inherent characteristic of the divine mind itself . If God wills the existence of any creature , that creature's existence must ...
... created things conform to the mere universal principles of reason , they obey a reasonableness which is an inherent characteristic of the divine mind itself . If God wills the existence of any creature , that creature's existence must ...
Page 31
... creates it . But the whole realm of the possible is an actual infinity of ideas . Out of the consideration of an infinity of ideas , how can God arrive at a choice ? Why not ? His mind is not , of course , discur- sive ; he does not ...
... creates it . But the whole realm of the possible is an actual infinity of ideas . Out of the consideration of an infinity of ideas , how can God arrive at a choice ? Why not ? His mind is not , of course , discur- sive ; he does not ...
Page 38
... created substances are actively the immediate causes of the effects of nature . I will therefore lay aside what I might reply to that part of M. Leibniz's answer . ' I will also omit all objections which are not more contrary to his ...
... created substances are actively the immediate causes of the effects of nature . I will therefore lay aside what I might reply to that part of M. Leibniz's answer . ' I will also omit all objections which are not more contrary to his ...
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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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