The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence: Together Wiith Extracts from Newton's Principia and OpticksIn 1715 Leibniz wrote to his friend the Princess of Wales to warn her of the dangers Newton's philosophy posed for natural religion. Seizing this chance of initiating an exchange between two of the greatest minds in Europe, the princess showed his letter to the eminent Newtonian scientist and natural theologian, Samuel Clarke. From his reply developed an exchange of papers which was published in 1717. The correspondence was immediately seen as a crucial discussion of the significance of the new science, and it became one of the most widely read philosophical works of its time. Kant developed his theory of space and time from the problems at issue, and the post-Newtonian physics of the twentieth century has brought a revival of interest in Leibniz's objections: some of the problems are still not finally resolved. In this edition an introduction outlines the historical background, and there is a valuable survey of the subsequent discussions of the problem of space and time in the philosophy of science. Significant references to the controversy in Leibniz's other correspondence have also been collected, and the relevant passages from Newton's Principia and Opticks are appended. |
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Contents
PREFACE | vii |
THE ARGUMENT OF THE CORRESPONDENCE | xiii |
THE PROBLEM OF SPACE AND TIME | xxxii |
LIST OF PREVIOUS EDITIONS | lv |
Leibniz | 127 |
EXTRACTS FROM NEWTONS PRINCIPIA | 142 |
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS RELATING | 184 |
199 | |
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acceleration according action admit answer appears argument attraction bodies called cause Clarke Clarke's concept concerning consequence consider consists continually contradiction contrary Correspondence created discusses distance distinction earth edition effect equal eternal existence experiments explained expressed finite follow force frame give given God's gravity greater ideas identity of indiscernibles impossible inertial infinite laws learned Leibniz less letter mass material mathematical matter means measure mechanical metaphysical mind miracle motion motive move nature necessary necessity never Newton Newtonian objects observed opinion Paragraph particles passage perceive perfect philosophy physics planets position possible present principle problem proportion prove quantity question reference regard relation relative reply resistance respect rest rotation seems sense sensorium situation soul space speak substance sufficient reason suppose taken theory things third true universe vacuum velocity weight whole