Single Idea 19401

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 5. Reason for Existence]

Full Idea

The sufficient reason for God's choice can be found only in the fitness (convenance) or in the degree of perfection that the several worlds possess.

Gist of Idea

God's sufficient reason for choosing reality is in the fitness or perfection of possibilities

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Exigency to Exist in Essences [1690], p.92)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.92


A Reaction

The 'fitness' of a world and its 'perfection' seem very different things. A piece of a jigsaw can have wonderful fitness, without perfection. Occasionally you get that sinking feeling with metaphysicians that they just make it up.

Related Idea

Idea 19400 Possibles demand existence, so as many of them as possible must actually exist [Leibniz]