Best of all possible worlds

The phrase "the best of all possible worlds" was coined by the German philosopher Gottfried Leibniz in his 1710 work Essais de Théodicée sur la bonté de Dieu, la liberté de l'homme et l'origine du mal (Theodicy). It is the central argument in Leibniz's theodicy, or his attempt to solve the problem of evil.

Related Topics:
German - Gottfried Leibniz - 1710 - Theodicy - Problem of evil

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Leibniz was concerned with the question of theodicy: how, if God is good and omnipotent, do we account for the suffering and injustice that exists in the world?

Related Topics:
God - Omnipotent

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Historically, the question has been answered with all number of philosophical arguments determined to do one of two things: explain away evil, or reconcile evil with good.

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According to Leibniz, the problem of evil is simpler than it appears. Since God is good and omnipotent, this world must be good, and in fact, this world is the best of all possible worlds. Pain and suffering are simply outgrowths of free will, and the goodness of free will is greater than the problem of evil created by having free will.

Related Topics:
Omnipotent - Possible world - Free will - Problem of evil

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Voltaire famously satirised this notion in Candide, in which Leibniz is represented by Dr Pangloss, and indeed the idea fell almost entirely from favour with philosophers after the Lisbon earthquake.

Related Topics:
Voltaire - Candide - Dr Pangloss - Lisbon earthquake

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