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 5
... FAITH WITH REASON 73 ESSAYS ON THE JUSTICE OF GOD AND THE FREEDOM OF MAN IN THE ORIGIN OF EVIL , IN THREE PARTS 123 , 182 , 276 APPENDICES SUMMARY OF THE CONTROVERSY , REDUCED TO FORMAL ARGUMENTS 377 EXCURSUS ON THEODICY , § 392 389 ...
... FAITH WITH REASON 73 ESSAYS ON THE JUSTICE OF GOD AND THE FREEDOM OF MAN IN THE ORIGIN OF EVIL , IN THREE PARTS 123 , 182 , 276 APPENDICES SUMMARY OF THE CONTROVERSY , REDUCED TO FORMAL ARGUMENTS 377 EXCURSUS ON THEODICY , § 392 389 ...
Page 35
... faith to reason and reason to itself , so that he could throw himself upon a meritorious and voluntary faith . There is nothing original in this position . It was characteristic of decadent scholasticism , it squared with Luther's ...
... faith to reason and reason to itself , so that he could throw himself upon a meritorious and voluntary faith . There is nothing original in this position . It was characteristic of decadent scholasticism , it squared with Luther's ...
Page 50
... faith and had never dreamed of drawing up formularies for their dogmatic theology . They knew not whether their gods were real persons or symbols of the forces of Nature , as the sun , the planets , the elements . Their mysteries ...
... faith and had never dreamed of drawing up formularies for their dogmatic theology . They knew not whether their gods were real persons or symbols of the forces of Nature , as the sun , the planets , the elements . Their mysteries ...
Page 60
... faith ; but it rested with God alone to grant it them . We know that besides inward grace there are usually outward circum- stances which distinguish men , and that training , conversation , example often correct or corrupt natural ...
... faith ; but it rested with God alone to grant it them . We know that besides inward grace there are usually outward circum- stances which distinguish men , and that training , conversation , example often correct or corrupt natural ...
Page 62
... faith to the doctrine of Jesus Christ . Yet it is true that this reason for election is not the final reason , and that this very pre- vision is still a consequence of God's anterior decree . Faith like- wise is a gift of God , who has ...
... faith to the doctrine of Jesus Christ . Yet it is true that this reason for election is not the final reason , and that this very pre- vision is still a consequence of God's anterior decree . Faith like- wise is a gift of God , who has ...
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