1 The Rationalists: Leibniz Rationalism and Theodicy Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana.
Post on 21-Dec-2015
213 Views
Preview:
Transcript
1
The Rationalists: LeibnizThe Rationalists: Leibniz
Rationalism and TheodicyRationalism and Theodicy
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
2
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
1. Introduction
2. Rationalism
3. Theodicy
4. Conclusion
3
Introduction: Introduction: Leibniz, Life and WorksLeibniz, Life and Works
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
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
4
Introduction: Introduction: Basics OrientationsBasics Orientations
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Philosophy of the Middle Ground:- Between the new science and the Scholastic Tradition- Between Rationalism and Empiricism
Theodicy:- Take seriously the idea of God’s 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
5
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
1. Introduction
2. Rationalism
3. Theodicy
4. Conclusion
6
Rationalism (1) Rationalism (1) Senses and ReasonSenses and Reason
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
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!
7
Rationalism (2) Rationalism (2) Eternal TruthsEternal Truths
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Truths of facts, Contingency and Sufficient ReasonsContingency exists, but not chance
Truths of Reasoning Truths of Facts
Necessary Contingent
Analytic Non-Analytic
`All bachelors are non married’
`Andrew is not married’
Principle of Contradiction Principle of Sufficient Reason
8
Rationalism (3) Rationalism (3) ConclusionConclusion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
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
9
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
1. Introduction
2. Rationalism
3. Theodicy
4. Conclusion
10
Theodicy (1) Theodicy (1) God’s ExistenceGod’s Existence
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Proofs of God’s 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
11
Theodicy (2) Theodicy (2) God’s NatureGod’s Nature
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
Theodicy, Par 7:- Understanding (all possibles)- Will (chose which are actual)- Power (made it actual)- Infinite Understanding, Will and Power - Unique
Most importantly: God is all perfections Unique, unlimited, and contains all the possibles
12
Theodicy (3) Theodicy (3) God’s BenevolenceGod’s Benevolence
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
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
A perfect God must have created a perfect worldIncluding morally perfect
13
Theodicy (4) Theodicy (4) The Creation’s PerfectionThe Creation’s Perfection
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
How to make sense of this? - Not everything is wonderful!- Perfection: the best balance between simplicity of causes and complexity of effects
We must commit to the belief that the Creation is most perfect
14
OutlineOutline
Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana
1. Introduction
2. Rationalism
3. Theodicy
4. Conclusion
top related