Single Idea 21468

[catalogued under 29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / a. Problem of Evil]

Full Idea

The Creator created not only the world, but also created possibility itself; therefore he should have created the possibility of a better world than this one.

Gist of Idea

The Creator created the possibilities for worlds, so should have made a better one than this possible

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], XII:156)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'Essays and Aphorisms [from Pand P]', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1970], p.48


A Reaction

This is explicitly a response to Leibniz's claim that the Creator selected the best of all possible worlds from the available options. The Euthyphro Question hovers here: must the Creator accept what is possible (the platonic view), or create possibility?

Related Ideas

Idea 2114 This is the most perfect possible universe, in its combination of variety with order [Leibniz]

Idea 19439 God produces possibilities, and thus ideas [Leibniz]

Idea 12954 God's essence is the source of possibilities, and his will the source of existents [Leibniz]

Idea 19326 God must be intelligible, to select the actual world from the possibilities [Leibniz]