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Single Idea 19339

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

Full Idea

The cause of good is positive, but evil is a defect, that is, a privation or negation, and consequently, it arises from nothingness or nonbeing.

Gist of Idea

Evil is a negation of good, which arises from non-being

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Dialogue on human freedom and origin of evil [1695], p.114)

Book Ref

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.114


A Reaction

He goes on to illustrate his idea from mathematics. He is modifying Augustine's view that evil is an absence of good, by adding nonbeing as the driving force behind it. Doesn't sound very persuasive to me.


The 4 ideas from 'Dialogue on human freedom and origin of evil'

Sloth's Syllogism: either it can't happen, or it is inevitable without my effort [Leibniz]
Evil is a negation of good, which arises from non-being [Leibniz]
Circles must be bounded, so cannot be infinite [Leibniz]
God only made sin possible because a much greater good can be derived from it [Leibniz]