Transcript Leibniz -- Freedom and Responsibility

The Rationalists: Leibniz
Freedom, Responsibility, Evil
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Individual Freedom
3. Individual Responsibility
4. The problem of Evil
5. Conclusion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
2
Introduction
The Problem
Determinism and Freedom:
- If everything is pre-determined, how can we be free
- If everything is pre-determined, how can we be held
responsible?
- Isn’t God responsible for the existence of Evil on Earth?
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Individual Freedom
3. Individual Responsibility
4. The problem of Evil
5. Conclusion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
4
Individual Freedom
Minimal Condition for Freedom: Contingency
- Necessary truths / Contingent truths
 Our existence is contingent on God’s decree. Leibniz is
not a necessitarian.
Certainty vs. Necessity
- God foresees everything that will happen but does not
make it happen
- Example: your sister and horror movies
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Individual Freedom
3. Individual Responsibility
4. The problem of Evil
5. Conclusion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Individual Responsibility
The Problem
- God is responsible for the fact that we actually exist
- From the fact that we exist it follows that we will unfold
ourselves, and hence, do what we do.
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Individual Responsibility
Leibniz’ answer
God decided only on the laws:
- Creation of certain substances
- Aim for the apparent good
- But leaves us the choice – state of indifference
Ignorance Argument
- We don’t know what we are supposed to do
- We make our decisions without constraints
SO: we can be held responsible for our actions
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Individual Freedom
3. Individual Responsibility
4. The problem of Evil
5. Conclusion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
9
The Problem is Evil
The greater good
Traditional answer to the problem of evil
God’s ways are not fully understandable
- We cannot grasp all the details of the perfect of the
Creation
- It is enough to understand that the Creation is perfect
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Individual Freedom
3. Individual Responsibility
4. The problem of Evil
5. Conclusion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
11
Conclusion on Leibniz
The core insight: Perfect God and Perfect World
Epistemology: Mitigated Rationalism
Metaphysics: Individual Substances
Necessity, Freedom and Responsibility:
- Contingency exists – but not chance
- Individual Freedom = absence of constraints
- Individual Responsibility? Epistemic limitations
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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