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Single Idea 19328

[from 'New Essays on Human Understanding' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 28. God / B. Proving God / 1. Proof of God ]

Full Idea

There is a fundamental axiom that 'nothing happens without reason', without which the existence of God and other great truths cannot be properly demonstrated.

Gist of Idea

Without the principle of sufficient reason, God's existence could not be demonstrated

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.21.13)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.179


A Reaction

I'm rather drawn to the Principle of Sufficient Reason, but also to John Keats's 'negative capability'. Belief that there must be a reason in each case is not a justification for inventing a reason every time. There may be a reason for the universe....