Single Idea 5037

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

Full Idea

God does not decide whether Adam should sin, but whether that series of things in which there is an Adam whose perfect individual notion involves sin should nevertheless be preferred to others.

Gist of Idea

God doesn't decide that Adam will sin, but that sinful Adam's existence is to be preferred

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (A Specimen of Discoveries [1686], p.78)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Parkinson,G.H.R. [Dent 1973], p.78


A Reaction

Compare whether the person responsible for setting a road speed limit is responsible for subsequent accidents. Leibniz's belief that the world could have been made no better than it is (by an omnipotent being) strikes me as blind faith, not an argument.