History of Modern Philosophy response
ANSWER
Leibniz’s position on final causality, as discussed in section 19, is rooted in his broader philosophical framework, which includes the concept of monads and his belief in a pre-established harmony in the universe. Final causality refers to the idea that things in the world have a purpose or end goal, and their existence is directed towards achieving that purpose.
In the quote, “I advise those who have any feelings of piety, and indeed of true philosophy, to avoid saying—as do certain self-proclaimed free-thinkers—that we see because we happen to have eyes, but not that the eyes were made for seeing,” Leibniz is cautioning against a purely materialistic or mechanistic view of the world. He is emphasizing that there is a deeper order and purpose to the way things are in the world. In this case, he is addressing the function of human eyes, suggesting that they were not just randomly evolved or created without a purpose; instead, they were designed for the specific purpose of seeing.
Leibniz’s perspective can be understood in the context of his belief in a rational and harmonious universe where everything has a purpose and is interconnected. He is advocating for a more teleological view of the world, where natural phenomena and entities have inherent goals or ends that are part of a grand design.
One question that can arise from this text is: How does Leibniz reconcile his belief in final causality and purpose in the world with the apparent existence of suffering and imperfections in the world?
QUESTION
Description
Explain Leibniz’s position on final causality (section 19). What do you think he means by this: “I advise those who have any feelings of piety, and indeed of true philosophy, to avoid saying—as do certain self-proclaimed free-thinkers—that we see because we happen to have eyes, but not that the eyes were made for seeing.” Ask a question that you have from the text.
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