PHL101Y1 Chapter 1: Selections from Theodicy
Selections from Theodicy
Author: Gottfried W Leibniz (German polymath and philosopher)
The whole article is a response to several objections
Objections
a) Responses
1. God did not choose the best in creating this world and thus lacks power, knowledge and
goodness
a. The best plan is not always the one which avoids evil, since evil sometimes leads to a
greater good
b. Imperfection in parts leads to perfection in the whole
2. God only gives some the means for a good will and salutary faith and thus does not have
sufficient goodness
a. God could overcome resistance to the human heart (either by internal grace of external
circumstances)
b. Since god has made the world, it is not possible to do better
2. Good cannot fail to choose the best and thus god is not free CONFUSED
a. It is true liberty to use ones free will to always choose the right thing
b. It is because he is never swayed by external sources or internal passions
c. Wisdom has determined him to choose the best means
d. God obeys laws he created, and this follows his own nature
Leibniz believes we live in the "best of all possible worlds"
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Document Summary
Author: gottfried w leibniz (german polymath and philosopher) The whole article is a response to several objections. God did not choose the best in creating this world and thus lacks power, knowledge and: the best plan is not always the one which avoids evil, since evil sometimes leads to a greater good b. Imperfection in parts leads to perfection in the whole. Good cannot fail to choose the best and thus god is not free confused. It is because he is never swayed by external sources or internal passions. It is true liberty to use ones free will to always choose the right thing a. b: wisdom has determined him to choose the best means, god obeys laws he created, and this follows his own nature.
