ABSTRACT
In order to understand Gottfried von Leibniz's views on evil, it is necessary to have a general understanding of his metaphysical system, although it is not possible to give a complete account of it here. Leibniz presents his account of the origin of the universe in several places: notably in 'On the Ultimate Origination of Things', 'Discourse on Metaphysics', and the Theodicy. Leibniz argues that moral evil is the direct result of created beings' free will. He claims that free will, in itself, is a good, and that it is only through limitation and deficiency in the creature that free will is misused and results in sin. In addition, there are three optimistic metaphysical theses that Leibniz holds which seem to be in conflict with eternal damnation: that all beings strive for perfection, that progress never comes to an end, and that pleasure arises from the contemplation of perfection.
