The Rationalists: Leibniz Rationalism and Theodicy

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Outline
1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Introduction: Leibniz, Life and Works

Life: - 1646 1716 Lutheran educated elite - The last universal genius - Education: Scholastics - Late discovery of new philosophy (when diplomat) - Rest of his life: Hanover historian Works: - Theodicy, New Essays - Discourse on Metaphysics, Monadology Extremely prolific writer and Changing philosophy
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 3

Introduction: Basics Orientations

Philosophy of the Middle Ground: - Between the new science and the Scholastic Tradition - Between Rationalism and Empiricism Theodicy: - Take seriously the idea of Gods being all perfect - Explain that the world we live is is the most perfect The Best Possible World: - Infinity of Possible Worlds One actual world - Principle of Sufficient Reason
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Outline
1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Rationalism (1) Senses and Reason

Men act like animals in three quarters of their action: -Sense perception, memory and induction For and Against the Empiricist Eternal Truths: - Known by the mind only - Superior kind of knowledge: universal, necessary and eternal Senses and Reason - Senses are not sufficient but are necessary triggers!

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Rationalism (2) Eternal Truths

Truths of Reasoning Necessary Analytic `All bachelors are non married Principle of Contradiction Truths of Facts Contingent Non-Analytic `Andrew is not married Principle of Sufficient Reason

Truths of facts, Contingency and Sufficient Reasons Contingency exists, but not chance

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Rationalism (3) Conclusion

Taking the empiricist challenge seriously - Senses may well be necessary for us to learn about eternal truths, but not sufficient Taking the necessitarian challenge seriously - Not everything is necessary, but everything has a cause

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Outline
1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Theodicy (1) Gods Existence

Proofs of Gods existence - Cosmological Argument 1: cause of contingent actualities - Cosmological Argument 2: cause of all possibles / essences - Ontological Argument: God as a necessary being, i.e. a being whose mere possibility implies its actuality

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

10

Theodicy (2) Gods Nature

Most importantly: God is all perfections Unique, unlimited, and contains all the possibles
Theodicy, Par 7: - Understanding (all possibles) - Will (chose which are actual) - Power (made it actual) - Infinite Understanding, Will and Power - Unique

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

11

Theodicy (3) Gods Benevolence

A perfect God must have created a perfect world Including morally perfect How to make sense of this? God follows the truth and the good - Opposite view: God decides on everything truth and good included - Leibniz: arbitrariness and lack of value of the Creation / Creator True Freedom is enlightened even for God

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

12

Theodicy (4) The Creations Perfection

We must commit to the belief that the Creation is most perfect
How to make sense of this? - Not everything is wonderful! - Perfection: the best balance between simplicity of causes and complexity of effects

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

13

Outline
1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

14

Conclusion on Leibniz God

One crucial starting point: God is all perfection
An original point of view: the modal point of view

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

15