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 9
... substance of Christian theism and of Christian morals , and it was to be held by the forces of sheer reason , without aid from scriptural revelation . The middle line was laid down by the general sense of Scripture , and the defence of ...
... substance of Christian theism and of Christian morals , and it was to be held by the forces of sheer reason , without aid from scriptural revelation . The middle line was laid down by the general sense of Scripture , and the defence of ...
Page 12
... substance which it generated furnish a gallery of metaphysical grotesques ; unless we are to except Leib- niz ; his system is , if nothing else , a miracle of ingenuity , and there are moments when we are in danger of believing it . It ...
... substance which it generated furnish a gallery of metaphysical grotesques ; unless we are to except Leib- niz ; his system is , if nothing else , a miracle of ingenuity , and there are moments when we are in danger of believing it . It ...
Page 30
... substance . They are sheer datum for us , and so are those reflexions of our environment which they mediate to us . They make up a closely packed and confused mass ; they persevere in their being with an obstinate innate force , the ...
... substance . They are sheer datum for us , and so are those reflexions of our environment which they mediate to us . They make up a closely packed and confused mass ; they persevere in their being with an obstinate innate force , the ...
Page 33
... , in which the whole substance of Locke's book is systematically discussed in dialogue . The New Essays were written in 1703. But meanwhile a painful dispute had broken out between Leibniz and the disciples of 33 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
... , in which the whole substance of Locke's book is systematically discussed in dialogue . The New Essays were written in 1703. But meanwhile a painful dispute had broken out between Leibniz and the disciples of 33 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
Page 34
... Substances , as well as of the Union between Soul and Body ' . In the same year Foucher published an article in the Journal controverting Leibniz ; and in the next year Leibniz replied with an ' Explanation ' . A second explanation in ...
... Substances , as well as of the Union between Soul and Body ' . In the same year Foucher published an article in the Journal controverting Leibniz ; and in the next year Leibniz replied with an ' Explanation ' . A second explanation in ...
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