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 12
... give an account of the matter which , we trust , will go most directly to the heart of it , but we will make no claims to sufficient interpretation of Leibniz's thought- processes . Leibniz , then , like all the philosophers of the ...
... give an account of the matter which , we trust , will go most directly to the heart of it , but we will make no claims to sufficient interpretation of Leibniz's thought- processes . Leibniz , then , like all the philosophers of the ...
Page 13
... give a new definition of it . ' Entelechy was a useful name for X , the more so as it had the authority of Aristotle , the master of scholasticism . Under the name of entelechy Leibniz was upholding the soul of scholastic doctrine ...
... give a new definition of it . ' Entelechy was a useful name for X , the more so as it had the authority of Aristotle , the master of scholasticism . Under the name of entelechy Leibniz was upholding the soul of scholastic doctrine ...
Page 17
... give rise to these im- pressions , without , perhaps , being so rash as to claim a knowledge of what this substantial form is . Still we do not know what its capacities of physical action and passion may be . We shall find them out by ...
... give rise to these im- pressions , without , perhaps , being so rash as to claim a knowledge of what this substantial form is . Still we do not know what its capacities of physical action and passion may be . We shall find them out by ...
Page 42
... give no reason for this new part of his system . It was in- consistent with the clearest notions of our minds : for it is evident that an atom which describes a straight line for the space of two days cannot turn away at the beginning ...
... give no reason for this new part of his system . It was in- consistent with the clearest notions of our minds : for it is evident that an atom which describes a straight line for the space of two days cannot turn away at the beginning ...
Page 43
... give itself all of a sudden a sense of pain , without receiving any intimation of pre- paring itself to change , and without any new alteration in its substance ? If you run over the life of that Roman emperor , every page will afford ...
... give itself all of a sudden a sense of pain , without receiving any intimation of pre- paring itself to change , and without any new alteration in its substance ? If you run over the life of that Roman emperor , every page will afford ...
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