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 8
... tion which still predominated in the first years of the eighteenth century . Leibniz is remembered for his philosophy ; he was not a pro- fessional philosopher . He was offered academic chairs , but he declined them . He was a gentleman ...
... tion which still predominated in the first years of the eighteenth century . Leibniz is remembered for his philosophy ; he was not a pro- fessional philosopher . He was offered academic chairs , but he declined them . He was a gentleman ...
Page 19
... tion was all very well in the old philosophy : those who had allowed the interaction of disparate natures throughout the physical world need find no particular difficulty about the special case of it pro- vided by incarnation . Why ...
... tion was all very well in the old philosophy : those who had allowed the interaction of disparate natures throughout the physical world need find no particular difficulty about the special case of it pro- vided by incarnation . Why ...
Page 21
... tion . This is no philosophical theory , it is a simple fact . Our body , then , as a physical system is a mechanical plurality ; as focused in consciousness it is a unity of ' idea ' . Very well : but we have not got far yet . For the ...
... tion . This is no philosophical theory , it is a simple fact . Our body , then , as a physical system is a mechanical plurality ; as focused in consciousness it is a unity of ' idea ' . Very well : but we have not got far yet . For the ...
Page 76
... tion ; for all that which can be refuted in a sound and conclusive manner cannot but be false . And such proofs of the truth of religion as can give only a moral certainty would be balanced and even outweighed by such objections as ...
... tion ; for all that which can be refuted in a sound and conclusive manner cannot but be false . And such proofs of the truth of religion as can give only a moral certainty would be balanced and even outweighed by such objections as ...
Page 83
... tion of Holy Scripture . 15. A like dispute has threatened of late to disturb the peace in the Churches of the Augsburg Confession . Some Masters of Arts in the University of Leipzig gave private lessons at their homes , to students who ...
... tion of Holy Scripture . 15. A like dispute has threatened of late to disturb the peace in the Churches of the Augsburg Confession . Some Masters of Arts in the University of Leipzig gave private lessons at their homes , to students who ...
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