PERFECTION AND FREE WILL IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WORLD OF LEIBNIZ

Year 2023, , 529 - 544, 31.12.2023

Özlem Ünlü

https://doi.org/10.53791/imgelem.1399421

Abstract

In this study I aim to examine the attributes ‘best’ and ‘most perfect’ that Leibniz frequently makes use of concerning the question of free will. The question of free will constitutes a crucial theme throughout Leibniz’s philosophy and particularly in regard to his concern with morality. In accordance with the essential constituents of his philosophy such as the best possible world and the necessity-contingency dichotomy, I aim at debating the legitimacy of Leibniz’s use of these attributes with respect to divine and human acts as free actsthe divine in a supreme manner and the human in degrees. In this context, Leibniz’s writings that cover the question of free will and two of his renowned texts, Monodology and Discourse on Metaphysics will be consulted.

Keywords

Leibniz, Free Will, God, Necessity, Contingency

References

• Adams, R. M. (1994). Leibniz: Determinist, Theist, Idealist, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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• Blumenfeld, David. (2006). Perfection and Happiness in the Best Possible World, N. Jolles (Ed.), in The Cambridge Companion to Leibniz (382-410), Cambridge University Press.
• Leibniz, G. W. (2014) Leibniz’s Monadology: A new Translation and Guide, L. Strickland (Trans.), Edinburgh University Press.
• Leibniz, G. W. (2020). Leibniz: Discourse on Metaphysics, G. Rodriguez-Pereyra (Trans.), Oxford University Press.
• McDonough, J. (2018). Freedom and Contingency, M. R. Antognazza (Ed.), in The Oxford Handbook of Leibniz (86-100), Oxford: Oxford University Press.