Exam Preparation Notes on Leibniz and Hume

Understanding the Assignment

• Focus on communicating ideas from philosophers (Socrates, Leibniz, Hume).
• Utilizing readings to support arguments is essential for good grades.
• Engagement with the assigned readings will greatly enhance essay quality.
• Specific readings from Gottfried Leibniz and David Hume are available on Blackboard.

Expectations for the Essay

• No specific length requirement; quality over quantity.
• Detail and substance are paramount; coherent and relevant responses are necessary.
• Essays should not be simple bullet points; they must be written in essay form.

Key Philosophers and Concepts

Leibniz’s Problem of Evil

• Central Thesis: God created a world that contains evil; thus, either God is not all good or not all powerful.
• Leibniz argues that the existence of evil can potentially lead to greater goods, making the world the best possible one.
• Problem Structure: If God is all powerful, knowing, and good (PKG) and evil exists, it questions God’s nature and capabilities.

Leibniz's Solution to the Problem of Evil

• Premises of the Argument:
  1. Those who fail to choose the best among possibilities lack knowledge, power, or goodness.
  2. God lacks none of these qualities.
  3. Therefore, God created the best possible world.
• Conclusion: This world, despite containing evil, is deemed the best by God.

Hume’s Critique

• Hume responds critically to Leibniz's assertions:
  1. Disagrees with the notion that all evils lead to greater goods; he provides sensory and empirical observations of suffering in the world.
  2. He questions the claim that the world’s evils can lead to better outcomes, pointing out that based on lived experience, pain outnumbers pleasure.
• Key Questions (Hume's Riddle of Epicurus):
  1. Is God willing but unable to prevent evil? (Not all powerful)
  2. Is God able but unwilling to prevent evil? (Not all good)
  3. If God is both willing and able, why does evil exist? (Contradictory nature of God)

Essay Structure Suggestions

• Begin with a clear statement of the problem of evil according to Leibniz, followed directly by his solution and support from the texts.
• Integrate Hume’s criticisms, using examples that illustrate the suffering present in the world.
• No specific formal structure is required; the focus should be on clarity and explaining the concepts adequately.

Personal Opinion Section

• Include a personal perspective on whether Leibniz or Hume presents a more compelling argument.
• Provide a thoughtful explanation of why you feel that way, as this section is open to subjective opinions but requires some elaboration beyond simple statements.

Additional Tips

• Prioritize information and clarity over strict grammar and length.
• Aim to engage with the material fully, demonstrating an understanding of nuances within arguments rather than surface-level observations.
• Manage time effectively; there's no rush to complete the essay, but working methodically can help ensure comprehensive coverage of topics.