Théodicée
Encyclopedia
Essais de Théodicée sur la bonté de Dieu, la liberté de l'homme et l'origine du mal (French
: Essays of theodicy on the goodness of God, the freedom of man and the origin of evil), more simply known as Théodicée, is a book of philosophy
by the famed polymath Gottfried Leibniz
. The book, published in 1710, introduced the term theodicy
, and its optimistic approach to the problem of evil
is thought to have inspired Candide
(albeit satirically).
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Essays of theodicy on the goodness of God, the freedom of man and the origin of evil), more simply known as Théodicée, is a book of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
by the famed polymath Gottfried Leibniz
Gottfried Leibniz
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a German philosopher and mathematician. He wrote in different languages, primarily in Latin , French and German ....
. The book, published in 1710, introduced the term theodicy
Theodicy
Theodicy is a theological and philosophical study which attempts to prove God's intrinsic or foundational nature of omnibenevolence , omniscience , and omnipotence . Theodicy is usually concerned with the God of the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, due to the relevant...
, and its optimistic approach to the problem of evil
Problem of evil
In the philosophy of religion, the problem of evil is the question of how to explain evil if there exists a deity that is omnibenevolent, omnipotent, and omniscient . Some philosophers have claimed that the existences of such a god and of evil are logically incompatible or unlikely...
is thought to have inspired Candide
Candide
Candide, ou l'Optimisme is a French satire first published in 1759 by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled Candide: or, All for the Best ; Candide: or, The Optimist ; and Candide: or, Optimism...
(albeit satirically).