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 10
... As a mere politician , he may be judged to have over - reached himself . It has been the object of the preceding paragraphs to show that Leibniz the politician and Leibniz the theologian were one and ΙΟ EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
... As a mere politician , he may be judged to have over - reached himself . It has been the object of the preceding paragraphs to show that Leibniz the politician and Leibniz the theologian were one and ΙΟ EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.
Page 11
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Austin M. Farrer. Leibniz the politician and Leibniz the theologian were one and the same person ; not at all to suggest that his rational theology was just political expediency . We may apply to him a parody of ...
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Austin M. Farrer. Leibniz the politician and Leibniz the theologian were one and the same person ; not at all to suggest that his rational theology was just political expediency . We may apply to him a parody of ...
Page 29
... theologians suggest . His discussions never lack ingenuity , and the system of creation and providence in which they result has much of that luminous serenity which colours the best works of the Age of Reason . Every theistic ...
... theologians suggest . His discussions never lack ingenuity , and the system of creation and providence in which they result has much of that luminous serenity which colours the best works of the Age of Reason . Every theistic ...
Page 58
... theologians have rather chosen to deny to God any knowledge of the detail of things and , above all , of future events , than to admit what they believed repellent to his goodness . The Socinians and Conrad Vorstius lean towards that ...
... theologians have rather chosen to deny to God any knowledge of the detail of things and , above all , of future events , than to admit what they believed repellent to his goodness . The Socinians and Conrad Vorstius lean towards that ...
Page 59
... theologians . Nevertheless some astute persons , who are pleased to make difficulties , revive them : they seek to increase our perplexity by uniting the controversies aroused by Christian theology to the disputes of philosophy ...
... theologians . Nevertheless some astute persons , who are pleased to make difficulties , revive them : they seek to increase our perplexity by uniting the controversies aroused by Christian theology to the disputes of philosophy ...
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