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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 79
Page 39
... prove that matter is not capable of any activity . Nor do I believe that it is more difficult for M. Leibniz than for the Cartesians or other philosophers , to free himself from the objection of a fatal mechanism which destroys human ...
... prove that matter is not capable of any activity . Nor do I believe that it is more difficult for M. Leibniz than for the Cartesians or other philosophers , to free himself from the objection of a fatal mechanism which destroys human ...
Page 53
... prove to be by no means versed in the divine perfections . They ill understand the goodness and the justice of the Sovereign of the universe ; they imagine a God who deserves neither to be imitated nor to be loved . This indeed seemed ...
... prove to be by no means versed in the divine perfections . They ill understand the goodness and the justice of the Sovereign of the universe ; they imagine a God who deserves neither to be imitated nor to be loved . This indeed seemed ...
Page 56
... prove too much , since it would prove ( for instance ) that one should take a pleasant beverage even though one knows it is poisoned . For the same reason ( if it were valid ) I could say : if it is written in the records of the Parcae ...
... prove too much , since it would prove ( for instance ) that one should take a pleasant beverage even though one knows it is poisoned . For the same reason ( if it were valid ) I could say : if it is written in the records of the Parcae ...
Page 57
... prove that virtue and vice do neither good nor ill , they have the hardihood to make the Divinity accessary to their licentious way of life , and they imitate the pagans of old , who ascribed to the gods the cause of their crimes , as ...
... prove that virtue and vice do neither good nor ill , they have the hardihood to make the Divinity accessary to their licentious way of life , and they imitate the pagans of old , who ascribed to the gods the cause of their crimes , as ...
Page 64
... proves , through the marvellous formation of things , that the universe must have an intelligent Cause . M. le Clerc ... proved the 64 PREFACE.
... proves , through the marvellous formation of things , that the universe must have an intelligent Cause . M. le Clerc ... proved the 64 PREFACE.
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 |
Other editions - View all
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