Gottfried Von Leibniz: The Problem Of Evil

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Recommended: The Concept of Good Versus Evil Essay

Madeline Hearons
Introduction to Philosophy
Dr. Butterfield
9 March 2014 The Problem of Evil “The problem of evil” has been a controversial topic for not only philosophers, but also people of different faiths all over the world. The problem of evil poses the questions that if there is a higher power, a perfect God, how can that higher power allow such evils to occur in this world? How could this perfect God create such evils in the world? How could he allow such suffering? As these questions have been asked, many philosophers have different thoughts and opinions on what kind of higher power really exists, and how evil can come from such a perfect and loving God. The example I have chosen poses the question of whether or not a perfect …show more content…

Gottfried believed in an all-knowing God that presented everything in the best possible way. He believed that God is perfect, all knowing and created the best possible world. If I were able to ask him the question “If a perfect God has created this world, why would he include evil?” his response would include his belief that God created this world knowing absolutely everything about it. He made this world knowing what would happen in the future, and how we would handle it. I believe he would respond by talking about God being in control of everything, and that evil is not real, just misunderstood. Leibniz believed evil was not real, and in the saying “All is well”. He was heavily focused on everything happening for a reason, and that a perfect God or higher power was in control, taking care of everything. My interpretation of Leibniz is that he believes that everything happens for a reason. That it is all part of a “higher plan”, and that suffering can be a good thing. Stating that suffering can be a good thing, and that we can find joy within our pain, would be an example of this “misunderstood” …show more content…

I do believe that SOME evils can be misunderstood, and that positive things are able to come out of negative situations and that there is a God, and that he is all knowing. My example does not agree with the belief in a “perfect God”, because it relays the message that that God had created the evils of the world, which a perfect God would not do. SOME of these evils are not misunderstood, for example specific moral evils. These evils, such as rape and murder, do not have any positive consequences, only negative. A God known as perfect would not allow this pain and suffering to take place. In regards to natural evils, such as world disasters, a perfect God would control these events, like Leibniz claims. These disasters bring suffering, death, pain, and chaos to everyone effected. Why would a perfect God want us to deal with such death, pain and chaos? Leibniz also claims that “All is Well”, and that God are not responsible for these evils. If he is in control of this world, how is he not responsible for the evils that take place? The evils in our world would have to be controlled by this God, making him the creator of this suffering. Therefore an omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omnisecent God would not exist. This does not mean that a God does not exist, but one that all knows, all-powerful, and all present does not exist. The Logical Problem of Evil explains this, going against Leibniz and

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