The principle of sufficient reason states that everything must have a reason or cause for its existence. It was formulated by Leibniz but the idea was conceived by earlier philosophers like Anaximander and Aquinas. The principle can take various forms regarding entities, events, and propositions. It is debated whether it can apply to axioms in logical systems. Leibniz believed in contingent events based on infinite reasons known only to God. Schopenhauer outlined four forms of the principle regarding becoming, knowing, being, and acting.
The principle of sufficient reason states that everything must have a reason or cause for its existence. It was formulated by Leibniz but the idea was conceived by earlier philosophers like …