The Ultimate Why Question: Why Is There Anything at All Rather than Nothing Whatsoever? (Studies in Philosophy and the History of Philosophy)

This volume gathers studies by prominent scholars and philosophers about the question how have major figures from the history of philosophy, and some contemporary philosophers, addressed "the ultimate why question": why is there anything at all rather than nothing whatsoever? The authors take this question seriously, striving to go beyond accounting for the present state of reality as distinguished from a prior or subsequent state, to the more profound question of discerning why anything whatsoever exists. The responses are varied: Lloyd P. Gerson considers Greek philosophy, and May Sim examines Chinese philosophy. Jon McGinnis explores a leading medieval Muslim philosopher, Avicenna, and volume editor John F. Wippel explores a leading medieval Christian philosopher, Thomas Aquinas. These chapters are followed by four responses from the modern period: Tad M. Schmaltz on Descartes; Daniel Dahlstrom on Leibniz, especially as he is understood by Heidegger; Edward C. Halper on Hegel; and, finally, Holger Zaborowski on F. W. J. Schelling. The final section of the book contains personal responses proposed by three contemporary thinkers who have addressed the problem in very different ways--Robert Cummings Neville, Brian Martine, and Nicholas Rescher. Readers will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of an issue that has taxed the ingenuity of many philosophers through the centuries and continues to intrigue many thinkers today. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK "An excellent collection of very interesting explorations of the ultimate why question. This collection persuasively confirms not only the unavoidability of the question but also the rich resources of thought that different philosophers have brought and still bring to the question." - William Desmond, professor of philosophy, The Catholic University of Leuven Contents Acknowledgments Introduction - John F. Wippel Part One. Contributions in Ancient Philosophy 1. Goodness, Unity, and Creation in the Platonic Tradition - Lloyd P. Gerson 2. The Question of Being, Non-Being, and “Creation ex Nihilo” in Chinese Philosophy - May Sim Part Two. Contributions in Medieval Philosophy 3. The Ultimate Why Question: Avicenna on Why God Is Absolutely Necessary - Jon McGinnis 4. Thomas Aquinas on the Ultimate Why Question: Why Is There Anything at All Rather than Nothing Whatsoever? - John F. Wippel Part Three. Contributions in Modern Philosophy 5. Causa sui and Created Truth in Descartes - Tad M. Schmaltz 6. Being and Being Grounded - Daniel O. Dahlstrom 7. Why Is There Anything at All Rather than Absolutely Nothing?: F. W. J. Schelling’s Answer to the Ultimate Why Question - Holger Zaborowski 8. The Ultimate Why Question: The Hegelian Option - Edward C. Halper Part Four. Contemporary Contributions 9. Some Contemporary Theories of Divine Creation - Robert Cummings Neville 10. Pragmatic Reflections on Final Causality - Brian Martine 11. Optimalism and the Rationality of the Real: On the Prospects of Axiological Explanation - Nicholas Rescher Bibliography Contributors Index of Topics Index of Names Goodness, Unity, And Creation In The Platonic Tradition / Lloyd P. Gerson -- The Question Of Being, Non-being And Creation Ex Nihilo In Chinese Philosophy / May Sim -- The Ultimate Why Question : Avicenna On Why God Is Absolutely Necessary / Jon Mcginnis -- Thomas Aquinas On The Ultimate Why Question : Why Is There Anything At All Rather Than Nothing Whatsoever? / John F. Wippel -- Causa Sui And Created Truth In Descartes / Tad M. Schmaltz -- Being And Being Grounded / Daniel O. Dahlstrom -- Why Is There Anything At All Rather Than Absolutely Nothing? : F.w.j. Schelling's Answer To The Ultimate Why Question / Holger Zaborowski -- The Ultimate Why Question : The Hegelian Option / Edward C. Halper -- Some Contemporary Theories Of Divine Creation / Robert Cummings Neville -- Pragmatic Reflections On Final Causality / Brian Martine -- Optimalism And The Rationality Of The Real : On The Prospects Of Axiological Explanation / Nicholas Rescher. Edited By John F. Wippel. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.