Leibniz - POR & Problem of Evil

(Originally written by March 3, 2006 in Book 22)

Leibnizian Principles

1. Pre-established harmony
a. Law of non-contradiction
b. Principle of sufficient reason
2. Principle of plentitude
- monad constitutes a continuum
3. Principle of perfection
- a rational being will always choose what appears to him/her the best choice among possible options
4. Identity of indiscernibles
- there are two things that are identical in every aspect, except for spacial location

Philosophy of Religion

God's existence is proven by:
1) Pre-established harmony
- only an all-powerful, infinitely wise being could do this (teleological argument)
2) Ontological argument
- if God's existence is possible then it is absolutely necessary
- God's existence is possible, that is to say, there is nothing contradictory in the idea of God.
Therefore, God exists.

God is one of three things:
1) God is impossible.
2) God is necessary
3) God is merely possible.

The definition of God causes him not to be a mere possibility. There is nothing that can (or at least) prove that God's existence is impossible. Therefore, His existence is necessary.

The Problem of Evil

1. If God exists, then there would be no evil.
2. Evil does exist.
Therefore, there is no God.

Leibniz's answer:
1) principle of perfection
2) principle of sufficient reason

1) If God exists, then this is the best of all possible worlds.
2) God exists
Therefore, this is the best of all possible worlds.

Self-determist

3 conditions for acting freely
1. Agent has to know what he/she is doing
2. That act must arise from desire
3. Act must be contingent, not forced or otherwise necessary.