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
... principle flashed upon him ? What was he not thinking of ? He had a many - sided mind . If the origins of the principle were complex , little wonder that its applications were manifold . Every expositor of Leibniz who does not wish to ...
... principle flashed upon him ? What was he not thinking of ? He had a many - sided mind . If the origins of the principle were complex , little wonder that its applications were manifold . Every expositor of Leibniz who does not wish to ...
Page 13
... principle of wholeness or completion in an individual thing . Scholasticism was content to talk about it under the name of ' sub- stantial form ' or ' formal cause ' . But the scholastic interpretation of the idea was hopelessly ...
... principle of wholeness or completion in an individual thing . Scholasticism was content to talk about it under the name of ' sub- stantial form ' or ' formal cause ' . But the scholastic interpretation of the idea was hopelessly ...
Page 14
... principles of Descartes or of Gassendi , because both ignored this vital something . Since the requirements of a new science would not allow a return to sheer scholasticism , it was necessary to find a fresh philosophy , in which ...
... principles of Descartes or of Gassendi , because both ignored this vital something . Since the requirements of a new science would not allow a return to sheer scholasticism , it was necessary to find a fresh philosophy , in which ...
Page 15
... principles of physical action . We may suppose that we know much or that we know little about it . This one thing at least we know , that it is capable of becoming alternatively either mutton or dog's flesh . It is not essential to it ...
... principles of physical action . We may suppose that we know much or that we know little about it . This one thing at least we know , that it is capable of becoming alternatively either mutton or dog's flesh . It is not essential to it ...
Page 16
... principles of being and action , so it will need a science of itself , which we may call hylology . Each of these sciences is mistress in her own province ; but how many there are , and how puzzlingly they overlap ! So long as we remain ...
... principles of being and action , so it will need a science of itself , which we may call hylology . Each of these sciences is mistress in her own province ; but how many there are , and how puzzlingly they overlap ! So long as we remain ...
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