back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 4307

[from 'works' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 5. Contingency ]

Full Idea

A reason must be given why contingent beings should exist rather than not exist.

Gist of Idea

A reason must be given why contingent beings should exist rather than not exist

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (works [1690])

Book Reference

Cottingham,John: 'The Rationalists' [OUP 1988], p.113


A Reaction

Spinoza rejects all contingency, but this seems an interesting support for it, even though we may need a reason for something where God does not because it is self-evident.