Leibniz: Determinist, Theist, IdealistLegendary since his own time as a universal genius, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) contributed significantly to almost every branch of learning. One of the creators of modern mathematics, and probably the most sophisticated logician between the Middle Ages and Frege, as well as a pioneer of ecumenical theology, he also wrote extensively on such diverse subjects as history, geology, and physics. But the part of his work that is most studied today is probably his writings in metaphysics, which have been the focus of particularly lively philosophical discussion in the last twenty years or so. The writings contain one of the great classic systems of modern philosophy, but the system must be pieced together from a vast and miscellaneous array of manuscripts, letters, articles, and books, in a way that makes especially strenuous demands on scholarship. This book presents an in-depth interpretation of three important parts of Leibniz's metaphysics, thoroughly grounded in the texts as well as in philosophical analysis and critique. The three areas discussed are the metaphysical part of Leibniz's philosophy of logic, his essentially theological treatment of the central issues of ontology, and his theory of substance (the famous theory of monads). |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
abstraction aggregate of substances Antoine Arnauld argued Aristotelian Arnauld ascribed Bosses Cartesian causal cause Chapter conceived conceptual containment theory constitute context contingent corporeal substance created substances creatures definition demonstrable derivative forces Descartes Discourse on Metaphysics discussed distinction divine entelechy essence Eucharistic explained expresses finite follows God's harmony idea imply individual concept individual substance interpretation John Bernoulli laws Leibniz says Leibniz seems Leibniz's thought Leibniz's view Leibnizian letter logic metaphysical mind miracles modal modal logic modifications monad Monadology motion nature necessary truths necessity objection ontological argument organic body passage perceive perceptions perfection perfectissimum phenomena physical possible worlds pre-established harmony predicate presumably presumption primary matter primitive force principle proof properties proposition qualities reality reason relation requirements secondary matter sense simple substances sort soul Spinoza stance substance's substantial bonds substantial form suggests Theodicy things tion Tournemine transubstantiation true two-substance unity Volder