Why God Must Do What is Best: A Philosophical Investigation of Theistic Optimism (Bloomsbury Studies in Philosophy of Religion)

The idea that God, understood as the most perfect being, must create the best possible world is often underacknowledged by contemporary theologians and philosophers of religion. This book clearly demonstrates the rationale for what Justin J. Daeley calls Theistic Optimism and interacts with the existing literature in order to highlight its limitations. While locating Theistic Optimism in the thought of Gottfried Leibniz, Daeley argues that Theistic Optimism is consistent with divine freedom, aseity, gratitude, and our typical modal intuitions. By offering plausible solutions to each of the criticisms levelled against Theistic Optimism, he also provides a vigorous and original defence against the charge that it deviates from the Christian tradition. Engaging with both the Christian tradition and contemporary theologians and philosophers, __Why God Must Do What is Best__ positions the idea of Theistic Optimism firmly within the language of contemporary philosophy of religion. Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Orientation 1.2 Structure and Layout Chapter 2: Theistic Optimism and the Leibnizian Legacy 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Nature of Theistic Optimism 2.3 Some Auxiliary Features of Theistic Optimism 2.4 The Primary Motivations for Theistic Optimism 2.5 Conclusion Chapter 3: Theistic Optimism and Divine Freedom 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Objection from Divine Freedom 3.3 Leibniz on Spontaneity and Intelligence 3.4 Divine Freedom Reconsidered 3.5 A Potential Worry for Set (L) 3.6 Conclusion Chapter 4: Theistic Optimism, Divine Praiseworthiness, and Thankworthiness 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Some Preliminary Remarks on Praiseworthiness and Thankworthiness 4.3 Proposition (T) 4.4 Divine Grace as a Response to Proposition (T) 4.5 The Necessity of the Best Possible World and Divine Grace 4.6 Back to Praiseworthiness and Thankworthiness 4.7 Conclusion Chapter 5: Theistic Optimism and Divine Aseity 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Tension Between Theistic Optimism and Divine Aseity 5.3 Creatio Ex Nihilo and Existential Priority 5.4 Divine Aseity Again 5.5 Creatio Ex Nihilo and the Idea that God Must Create 5.6 Conclusion Chapter 6: Theistic Optimism and Modal Collapse 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Possible by Its Own Nature Solution 6.3 The Contingency of the Criterion of Perfection Solution 6.4 The Contingency of Human Alternativity Free Choices Solution 6.5 Conceding the Point? 6.6 Conclusion Chapter 7: Theistic Optimism and the Christian Tradition 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Objection from the Christian Tradition 7.3 Authoritative Writings 7.4 Significant Theological Figures 7.5 What about the First Vatican General Council of 1870? 7.6 Conclusion Chapter 8: Theistic Optimism and Theistic Compatibilism 8.1 Introduction 8.2 The Inconsistency Between Theistic Compatibilism and Divine Alternativity 8.3 Theistic Compatibilists on the Intelligibility of a Free Choice 8.4 Does an Intelligible Free Choice Undermine Divine Alternativity? 8.5 Possible Responses for the Theistic Compatibilist 8.6 Conclusion Chapter 9: Conclusion 9.1 Two Peripheral Issues 9.2 God’s Essential Properties 9.3 Petitionary Prayer 9.4 The Final Conclusion Notes Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Bibliography Index Index to Scripture "The idea that God, as the most perfect being, creates the best possible world necessarily, is often under-acknowledged by contemporary theologians and philosophers of religion. This book clearly demonstrates the rationale for what Justin Daeley terms theistic optimalism and interacts with the existing literature in order to highlight its limitations. Extending the conversation beyond the well-covered issue of divine freedom, Justin Daeley argues that Theistic Optimalism is also consistent with divine aseity, divine gratitude and our typical modal intuitions. By offering plausible solutions to each of the criticisms levelled against Theistic Optimalism, he provides a vigorous and original defence against the charge that it deviates from the Christian tradition. Engaging with both the Christian tradition and contemporary Christian theologians, Why God Must Do What is Best positions the idea of Theistic Optimalism firmly within the language of contemporary philosophy of religion."-- Provided by publisher "The idea that God, understood as the most perfect being, must create the best possible world is often underacknowledged by contemporary theologians and philosophers of religion. This book clearly demonstrates the rationale for what Justin Daeley calls Theistic Optimism and interacts with the existing literature in order to highlight its limitations. While locating Theistic Optimism in the thought of Gottfried Leibniz, Daeley argues that Theistic Optimism is consistent with divine freedom, aseity, gratitude, and our typical modal intuitions. By offering plausible solutions to each of the criticisms levelled against Theistic Optimism, he also provides a vigorous and original defence against the charge that it deviates from the Christian tradition. Engaging with both the Christian tradition and contemporary theologians and philosophers, Why God Must Do What is Best positions the idea of Theistic Optimism firmly within the language of contemporary philosophy of religion"-- Provided by publisher