1. 1 The Rationalists: Leibniz Rationalism and Theodicy Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

2. 2Outline 1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

3. 3Introduction: Leibniz, 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. 4Introduction: Basics 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. 5Outline Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

6. 6 Rationalism (1) Senses 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. 7 Rationalism (2) Eternal Truths Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana Truths of facts, Contingency and Sufficient Reasons Contingency exists, but not chance Truths of ReasoningTruths of Facts NecessaryContingent AnalyticNon-Analytic `All bachelors are non married’`Andrew is not married’ Principle of ContradictionPrinciple of Sufficient Reason

8. 8 Rationalism (3) Conclusion 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. 9Outline Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

10. 10 Theodicy (1) God’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. 11 Theodicy (2) God’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. 12 Theodicy (3) God’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 world Including morally perfect

13. 13 Theodicy (4) The 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. 14Outline Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana 1. Introduction 2. Rationalism 3. Theodicy 4. Conclusion

15. 15 Conclusion on Leibniz’ God Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana An original point of view: the modal point of view One crucial starting point: God is all perfection