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Optimism
In this best of all possible worlds, all must be for the best. This is the main point of satire in Voltaire's classic "Candide." It's often taken that Voltaire is correct in his critisism of this philosophy simply because he is Voltaire, but he really fails to argue the main points of the philosophy. Throughout the novella, Voltaire attempts to demonstrate the absudity of the concept through a string of unfortunate events that cause the main character much grief and sadness. The main character remains optimistic by sticking to his belief that all is for the best. Even as he is flogged and beaten he remains sure that all is for the best.
While this seems absurd to the reader, it doesn't disprovc the theory or provide any alternative to the problem of evil. The problem of evil is one of the classic debates in philosophy and the concept behind Candide's optimism seems to be one of the best explanations for it. Personally, I can't find any way to refute it. So I ask you, in this best of all possible worlds, is all really for the best?
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