AQUINO Journal of Philosophy

This study is a critical appraisal of Leibniz’s theodicy which centers on the perennial problem of evil in Philosophy. It investigated the claim of God’s omnipotence in Leibniz’s best possible world theory. The problem of evil consists in the attempt to reconcile the existence of a good and powerful God with the presence of evil in the world. This study explored the question of whether or not the presence of evil in the world serves as an evidence against God’s existence or any of the attributes traditionally ascribed to him by theists (all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing). The aim of this study was to examine Leibniz’s attempt at resolving the problem of evil through his theory of the best possible world. This study focused on an investigation of Leibniz’s claim to see whether or not the attribute of divine omnipotence is sustainable in the light of his theory since he claims that God allows some evil to take place so that greater good may be attained. This study sought a possible justification for the presence of evil in the world, and whether in fact evil is a “thing,” and whether it has great consequences for God’s existence. This study employed Criticism as its philosophical method of research. The major finding of the study is that Leibniz’s solution to the problem of evil is not entirely satisfactory since it leaves room for a number of questions. The study concluded that Leibniz’s position that God allows some evil to take place so that from them greater good may come about questions God’s omnipotence - although God is omnibenevolent and omniscient, he is not omnipotent.

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