The Impossibility and Necessity of Theodicy : The “Essais” of Leibniz

This book provides an analytical interpretation of Leibniz's 'Essais de Théodicée' with wide-ranging references to all his works. It shows and upholds many thesis: Leibniz's rational conception of faith, his rational notion of mystery, the reformation of classical ontology, and the importance of Leibniz's thought in the tradition of the critical idealism. In his endeavor to formulate a theodicy, Leibniz emerges as a classic exponent of a non-immanentist modern rationalism, capable of engaging in a close dialogue with religion and faith. This relation implies that God and reason are directly involved in posing the challenge and that the defence of one is the defence of the other. Theodicy and logodicy are two key aspects of a philosophy which is open to faith and of a faith which is able to intervene in culture and history. This book provides an analytical interpretation of Leibniz's 'Essais de ThÜÖ♭odicÜÖ♭e' with wide-ranging references to all his works. It shows and upholds many thesis: Leibniz's rational conception of faith, his rational notion of mystery, the reformation of classical ontology, and the importance of Leibniz's thought in the tradition of the critical idealism. In his endeavor to formulate a theodicy, Leibniz emerges as a classic exponent of a non-immanentist modern rationalism, capable of engaging in a close dialogue with religion and faith. This relation implies that God and reason are directly involved in posing the challenge and that the defence of one is the defence of the other. Theodicy and logodicy are two key aspects of a philosophy which is open to faith and of a faith which is able to intervene in culture and history Front Matter....Pages i-ix Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Introduction....Pages 3-15 True Piety....Pages 17-55 Faith and Reason....Pages 57-87 Apologetic Arguments in the Theodicy ....Pages 89-117 Predetermination and Free Will....Pages 119-147 Evil and the Best of All Possible Worlds....Pages 149-188 God and the Reason Principle....Pages 189-227 Conclusion....Pages 229-235 Front Matter....Pages 237-237 Appendix One: The Metaphor of the “Two Labyrinths” and Its Implications in Leibniz’s Thought....Pages 239-277 Appendix Two: The Reasons of Reason According to Leibniz....Pages 279-288 Appendix Three: From Ontology to Ethics: Leibniz vs. Eckhard....Pages 289-298 Appendix Four: Moral Necessity in Leibniz....Pages 299-314 Back Matter....Pages 315-318