Philosophy of Religion: Does The Idea of A Good God Exclude Evil?

Philosophical Category: Leibniz is a creative eclecticism, a synthesis of ancient and modern thought without parallel in philosophical history .

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716)

Leibniz considers the second major question that philosophy of religion faces. The first question being God's existence and the second question centering on the nature of God. He insists that the definition of God as a perfect being is not only fully intelligible but, in a manner similar to St. Anselm's, demonstrates by itself God's existence. Evil then must be understood as fully compatible with both God's existence and the freedom of human beings.

?God Can Allow Some Evil

• The best plan is not always that which seeks to avoid evil, since it may happen that he evil is accompanied by a greater good.
• It is not at all to be admitted that there is more evil than good in the intelligent creatures. Leibniz argues that the glory and the perfection of the blessed are incomparably greater than the misery and the imperfection of the damned. He goes on to say that God is infinite, and the devil is limited; the good may and does go to infinity, while evil has its bounds.
• The predetermination of events by causes is just what contributes to morality instead of destroying it, and causes incline the will, without compelling it. This is why the determination in question is not a necessitation--it is certain (to him who knows all). Leibniz is talking about the necessity or certainty of sin present in the world.
• It is possible that one could prevent sin, but ought not, because he could not do so without him committing a sin, or (when God is in question) without performing an unreasonable action (p. 77)
• We do not desire evil; but are willing to permit them for the sake of a greater good which we cannot reasonably help preferring to other considerations.
• God is the cause of all perfections and consequently of all realities considered as purely positive. But limitations or privations result from the original imperfection of creatures, which limits their receptivity.
• The original limitation or imperfection of creatures requires that even the best plan of the universe could not receive more good, and could not be exempt from certain evils, which, ultimately, are to result in a greater good.
• There are certain disorders in the parts which marvelously enhance the beauty of the whole; just as certain dissonances, when properly used, render harmony more beautiful.
• By means of which one is placed in more favorable circumstances than another, depend upon the universal harmony (or God's wisdom)

It is rather true liberty, and the most perfect, to be able to use one's free will for the best, and to always exercise this power, without ever being turned aside either by external forces or by internal passions, the first of which causes slavery of the body, the second, the slavery of the soul.