Continuing on Gottfried Leibniz’s Theodicy (1710). We get further into the weeds: What is the metaphysical necessity for evil? Leibniz says God doesn't actually cause evil; it's just that his optimal creation will necessarily have some evil in it. Just the fact that he's necessary and infinite, and his creation is contingent and finite means that creatures involve some lack, Continue Reading …
Moore on Theodicy
In the episode, I brought up Moore's use of the non-mathematical character of the good (in that one good plus another good doesn't necessarily make a whole with the good equal to the sum of the parts) by bringing up theodicy, i.e. the defense of the existence of evil in a perfectly good world by saying that that evil is necessary, because it allows us to be virtuous in response Continue Reading …
PREVIEW-Episode 24: Spinoza on God and Metaphysics
This is a 32-minute preview of a 1 hr, 36-minute episode. Buy Now Purchase this episode for $2.99. Or become a PEL Citizen for $5 a month, and get access to this and all other paywalled episodes, including 68 back catalogue episodes; exclusive Part 2's for episodes published after September, 2020; and our after-show Nightcap, where the guys respond to listener email and chat Continue Reading …