Leibniz on Compossibility and Possible Worlds

Leibniz on Compossibility and Possible Worlds PDF Author: Gregory Brown
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319426958
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
This volume brings together a number of original articles by leading Leibniz scholars to address the meaning and significance of Leibniz’s notions of compossibility and possible worlds. In order to avoid the conclusion that everything that exists is necessary, or that all possibles are actual, as Spinoza held, Leibniz argued that not all possible substances are compossible, that is, capable of coexisting. In Leibniz’s view, the compossibility relation divides all possible substances into disjoint sets, each of which constitutes a possible world, or a way that God might have created things. For Leibniz, then, it is the compossibility relation that individuates possible worlds; and possible worlds form the objects of God’s choice, from among which he chooses the best for creation. Thus the notions of compossibility and possible worlds are of major significance for Leibniz’s metaphysics, his theodicy, and, ultimately, for his ethics. Given the fact, however, that none of the approaches to understanding Leibniz’s notions of compossibility and possible words suggested to date have gained universal acceptance, the goal of this book is to gather a body of new papers that explore ways of either refining previous interpretations in light of the objections that have been raised against them, or ways of framing new interpretations that will contribute to a fresh understanding of these key notions in Leibniz’s thought.

Leibniz on Compossibility and Possible Worlds

Leibniz on Compossibility and Possible Worlds PDF Author: Gregory Brown
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319426958
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Get Book

Book Description
This volume brings together a number of original articles by leading Leibniz scholars to address the meaning and significance of Leibniz’s notions of compossibility and possible worlds. In order to avoid the conclusion that everything that exists is necessary, or that all possibles are actual, as Spinoza held, Leibniz argued that not all possible substances are compossible, that is, capable of coexisting. In Leibniz’s view, the compossibility relation divides all possible substances into disjoint sets, each of which constitutes a possible world, or a way that God might have created things. For Leibniz, then, it is the compossibility relation that individuates possible worlds; and possible worlds form the objects of God’s choice, from among which he chooses the best for creation. Thus the notions of compossibility and possible worlds are of major significance for Leibniz’s metaphysics, his theodicy, and, ultimately, for his ethics. Given the fact, however, that none of the approaches to understanding Leibniz’s notions of compossibility and possible words suggested to date have gained universal acceptance, the goal of this book is to gather a body of new papers that explore ways of either refining previous interpretations in light of the objections that have been raised against them, or ways of framing new interpretations that will contribute to a fresh understanding of these key notions in Leibniz’s thought.

Possibility, Agency, and Individuality in Leibniz's Metaphysics

Possibility, Agency, and Individuality in Leibniz's Metaphysics PDF Author: Ohad Nachtomy
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402052456
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
This book reveals a thread that runs through Leibniz’s metaphysics: from his logical notion of possible individuals to his notion of actual, nested ones. It presents Leibniz’s subtle approach to possibility and explores some of its consequential repercussions in his metaphysics. The book provides an original approach to the questions of individuation and relations in Leibniz, offering a novel account of Leibniz’s notion of Nested Individuals.

Leibniz

Leibniz PDF Author: Donald Rutherford
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0195143744
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 283

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Book Description
New essays offer an overview of current research into Leibniz' metaphysics, situating this distinctive philosophy of nature.

The Best of All Possible Worlds? Leibniz's Philosophical Optimism and Its Critics 1710-1755

The Best of All Possible Worlds? Leibniz's Philosophical Optimism and Its Critics 1710-1755 PDF Author: Hernán D. Caro
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004440763
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 234

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Book Description
The first comprehensive survey of the criticisms of Leibniz's philosophical optimism in the first half of the eighteenth century, when what has been called the ‘debacle of the perfect world’ first began.

Affirming Divergence

Affirming Divergence PDF Author: Alex Tissandier
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
ISBN: 1474417752
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
Traces Victorian self-harm through an engagement with literary fiction.

Leibniz’s Metaphysics of Time and Space

Leibniz’s Metaphysics of Time and Space PDF Author: Michael Futch
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402082371
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 223

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Book Description
Leibniz’s metaphysics of space and time stands at the centre of his philosophy and is one of the high-water marks in the history of the philosophy of science. In this work, Futch provides the first systematic and comprehensive examination of Leibniz’s thought on this subject. In addition to elucidating the nature of Leibniz’s relationalism, the book fills a lacuna in existing scholarship by examining his views on the topological structure of space and time, including the unity and unboundedness of space and time. It is shown that, like many of his more recent counterparts, Leibniz adopts a causal theory of time where temporal facts are grounded on causal facts, and that his approach to time represents a precursor to non-tensed theories of time. Futch then goes on to situate Leibniz’s philosophy of space and time within the broader context of his idealistic metaphysics and natural theology. Emphasizing the historical background of Leibniz’s thought, the book also places him in dialogue with contemporary philosophy of science, underscoring the enduring philosophical interest of Leibniz’s metaphysics of time and space.

Leibniz and the Rational Order of Nature

Leibniz and the Rational Order of Nature PDF Author: Donald Rutherford
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521597371
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
This major contribution to Leibniz scholarship will prove invaluable to historians of philosophy, theology, and science.

A Companion to Spinoza

A Companion to Spinoza PDF Author: Yitzhak Y. Melamed
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119538645
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 44

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Book Description
An unparalleled collection of original essays on Benedict de Spinoza's contributions to philosophy and his enduring legacy A Companion to Spinoza presents a panoramic view of contemporary Spinoza studies in Europe and across the Anglo-American world. Designed to stimulate fresh dialogue between the analytic and continental traditions in philosophy, this extraordinary volume brings together 53 original essays that explore Spinoza's contributions to Western philosophy and intellectual history. A diverse team of established and emerging international scholars discuss new themes and classic topics to provide a uniquely comprehensive picture of one of the most influential metaphysicians of all time. Rather than simply summarizing the body of existing scholarship, the Companion develops new ideas, examines cutting-edge scholarship, and suggests directions for future research. The text is structured around six thematically-organized sections, exploring Spinoza's life and background, his contributions to metaphysics and natural philosophy, his epistemology, politics, ethics, and aesthetics, the reception of Spinoza in the work of philosophers such as Kant, Schelling, Schopenhauer, and Hegel, and more. This unparalleled research collection combines a timely overview of the current state of research with deep coverage of Spinoza's philosophy, legacy, and influence. Part of the celebrated Blackwell Companions to Philosophy series, A Companion to Spinoza is an ideal text for advanced courses in modern philosophy, intellectual history, and the history of metaphysics, and an indispensable reference for researchers and scholars in Spinoza studies.

Discourse on Metaphysics

Discourse on Metaphysics PDF Author: Gottfried Wilhelm Freiherr von Leibniz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Metaphysics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


The Best of All Possible Worlds

The Best of All Possible Worlds PDF Author: Steven M. Nadler
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691145318
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Discusses the relationship between three great philosophers of the Age of Reason and their thoughts on evil and why it existed.