Notes on Leibniz, Theodicy, and the Problem of Evil

Context and Timeline

• Transition from medieval to early modern philosophy (13th-17th centuries).
• Key figures include Thomas Aquinas (13th century) and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (17th century).

Cultural Shifts

• Erosion of the power of kings and church due to the scientific revolution.
• Start with Copernicus in the 1400s proposing that Earth is not the universe's center.
• Investigation of reality is being pursued outside religious frameworks, which kickstarts the scientific revolution.

Rise of Enlightenment

• The Enlightenment challenges the divine right of kings.
• Emphasizes individual rights, personal liberty, and challenges authoritative powers.

Gottfried Leibniz

• Raised in an academic household; interests include philosophy, theology, physics, and mathematics.
• Concurrently developed calculus independently of Isaac Newton, leading to a historical dispute over credit.

Leibniz's Theodicy

• Engages with the problem of evil, which begins with Augustine’s assertion that if God is all-powerful and good, why does evil exist?
• Augustine's stance: evil is merely the absence of good, avoiding God's culpability.
• Leibniz agrees but argues it oversimplifies the problem, as defining evil this way does not account for human suffering.

Underachievement Problem

• Leibniz proposes that if God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and good, and our world is flawed, it suggests God might "underachieve" in creation.
• He poses three premises:

1. Not choosing the best option implies a lack of power, knowledge, or goodness.
2. God possesses no such lack.
3. Therefore, this world is the best possible world God could create.

Critique of the Best Possible World

• Assertion that our world, filled with suffering, is the best is challenged; can we imagine better worlds with less suffering?
• Example of potential worlds where historical pains (like wars) didn't occur leads to questioning if the current world is optimal.

Leibniz's Response to Evil

• Claims all suffering must exist to promote greater good; suffering educates and guides moral virtues.
• The necessity of suffering is blended with the idea of how good arises from it.

Real-World Implications of Suffering

• Examples of suffering (war, natural disasters) must also yield greater goods to fit the theodicy model.
• Emphasizes a paradox: can we justify every instance of suffering as necessary?

Contemplation of Suffering

• Questions raised about the utility of suffering leading to greater good:
• Does every pain connect to a greater benefit?
• Can historical horrors lead to lessons or improvements to our society?
• Example of World War II: some argue it provided lessons against future genocide and warfare.

Conclusion

• Leibniz's perspective on suffering underlines a significant philosophical discussion: does the existence of evil inherently support or detract from the character of a good and omnipotent God?
• Unresolved tensions about whether suffering must lead to a greater good, prompting further inquiry into the nature of evil, God’s intentions, and moral philosophy.