Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The work "Of Being" by Jonathan Edwards is a philosophical exploration of existence and the nature of God. Edwards argues that absolute nothingness is inconceivable, leading to the conclusion that God must exist as an eternal, omnipresent being. He posits that all material things exist as ideas within perceiving minds, ultimately dependent on God's consciousness and creative will.12

Edwards's philosophy emphasizes that true virtue lies in disinterested love for God, placing divine glory above self-interest or even love for humanity. This concept is central to his understanding of religion and morality. His work grapples with fundamental metaphysical questions about existence, God's role in creation, and the nature of reality itself.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.