Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man, and the Origin of Evil

"Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man, and the Origin of Evil" is a philosophical work by the German polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, first published in 1710. In this seminal text, Leibniz grapples with the age-old theological problem of the existence of evil in a world created by a benevolent and omnipotent God. Leibniz seeks to reconcile the apparent conflict between the existence of evil and the belief in a perfect and all-powerful deity by proposing his theory of the best of all possible worlds. According to Leibniz, God, being both benevolent and omnipotent, has created the world in the most optimal way possible, such that the existence of evil serves a greater good or is necessary for the overall harmony and perfection of the universe. Through a series of essays and arguments, Leibniz defends his theodicy, addressing objections and offering insights into the nature of God, human freedom, and moral responsibility. "Theodicy" remains a landmark work in the philosophy of religion, influencing subsequent discussions on the problem of evil and the nature of divine providence.

Product Details:

• ISBN: 0875484379
• EAN: 9780875484372
• Publisher: Open Court
• Binding: Paperback
• Copyright Date: 1985
• Pub Date: January 22, 1999
• Physical Info: 2.92 cms H x 21.69 cms L x 14.12 cms W (0.58 kgs), 452 pages