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 50
... dogmas but in certain secret observances , whence the profane , namely those who were not initiated , were excluded ... dogma into law . Neverthe- less Moses had not inserted in his laws the doctrine of the immor- tality of souls : it ...
... dogmas but in certain secret observances , whence the profane , namely those who were not initiated , were excluded ... dogma into law . Neverthe- less Moses had not inserted in his laws the doctrine of the immor- tality of souls : it ...
Page 51
... dogma . He alone did that which so many philosophers had endeavoured in vain to do ; and Christians having at last ... dogmas of natural theology : his followers spread them abroad even among the most remote races of Asia and of Africa ...
... dogma . He alone did that which so many philosophers had endeavoured in vain to do ; and Christians having at last ... dogmas of natural theology : his followers spread them abroad even among the most remote races of Asia and of Africa ...
Page 58
... dogma of the two principles , or two gods , the one good , the other evil , as if this dogma were a better solution to the difficulties over the origin of evil . Yet again he acknowledges that it is an indefen- sible opinion and that ...
... dogma of the two principles , or two gods , the one good , the other evil , as if this dogma were a better solution to the difficulties over the origin of evil . Yet again he acknowledges that it is an indefen- sible opinion and that ...
Page 59
... dogmas scarce obtain any longer among theologians . Nevertheless some astute persons , who are pleased to make difficulties , revive them : they seek to increase our perplexity by uniting the controversies aroused by Christian theology ...
... dogmas scarce obtain any longer among theologians . Nevertheless some astute persons , who are pleased to make difficulties , revive them : they seek to increase our perplexity by uniting the controversies aroused by Christian theology ...
Page 77
... dogmas , such as those of physical predetermination , of mediate knowledge , philosophical sin , objective precisions , and many other dogmas in speculative theology and even in the practical theology of cases of conscience , came into ...
... dogmas , such as those of physical predetermination , of mediate knowledge , philosophical sin , objective precisions , and many other dogmas in speculative theology and even in the practical theology of cases of conscience , came into ...
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