 previous article in this issue | next article in this issue  |
|
Document Details : Title: Leibniz's God Subtitle: Cosmic Calculator and His Freedom of Willing the Best of All Possible Worlds Author(s): PACTWA, David P. Journal: Bijdragen Volume: 70 Issue: 3 Date: 2009 Pages: 304-336 DOI: 10.2143/BIJ.70.3.2042635 Abstract : This article provides a thorough introduction into the problem arising in Leibniz’s philosophical system of whether God’s act of will in creation is rendered necessary following the system’s doctrine of truth and Principle of the Best. Several items necessary for a grasp of the subject are discussed first in summary fashion: §1 relevant elements of Leibniz’s logic and the nature of truth, §2 the meaning of freedom, and §3 the principle of perfection, or the best. In the final section, the author defends the view that Leibniz effectively responds, within the framework of his logic, to the main objections against his position. It is argued that Leibniz is able to vindicate the system’s position on the freedom of God’s act of will in creating the order of nature, whereby the ‘root of contingency’ in his system is at once derived from God’s will and yet completely intelligible through the system’s modern Rationalism, logic and doctrine of truth. |
