Abstract

It is good to have Huggard's translation of the Theodicy back in print. This book can find excellent use in philosophy of religion courses which attempt to follow the history of the theodical and predestination problems. Since the Theodicy is not otherwise available, however, the fact that this edition is a fifty percent abridgment is very disappointing. Repetitions and digressions could have been bracketed rather than deleted, and the appendices ought to have been retained since some of Leibniz' most concise and subtle argumentation is contained in them. It is even quite a shame that Farrar's superb introduction in the original English edition was not retained. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that $2.75 is a lot to pay for an abridgment.--E. A. R.