The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 253: Leibniz on the Problem of Evil (Part One)
Sep 28, 2020
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God Chooses Best Possible World
- Leibniz argues God, by definition, is the greatest possible being in all respects, morally, in knowledge and power. - Therefore, God must have created the best of all possible worlds despite the presence of evil.
Possibility Sensitivity Defines God
- Leibniz's innovative argument links the concept of possibility to the necessity of an intelligent being, i.e., God. - God must have possibility-sensitivity and deliberation to choose the actual world from infinite possibilities.
Universe's Origin Tied to Goodness
- The initial conditions of the universe are determined by a rational criterion of goodness rather than random chance. - God's choice to actualize a possible world is an evaluative decision aimed at the greatest value.