Leibniz and the Natural World [electronic resource] : Activity, Passivity and Corporeal Substances in Leibniz's Philosophy / by Pauline Phemister.

Erişim Adresi
ISBN
9781402034015
Dil Kodu
İngilizce
Yer Numarası
DK/12566
Basım Bildirimi
1st ed. 2005.
Yayın Bilgisi
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands : Imprint: Springer, 2005.
Fiziksel Niteleme
XVI, 298 p. online resource.
Dizi
The New Synthese Historical Library, Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy, 2352-2585 ; 58
İçindekiler Notu
Substances: Public and Private -- Primary Matter -- Extension -- The Composition of Bodies -- The Composition of the Continuum -- Perceptions and Perceivers -- Phenomenal Bodies -- Derivative Forces -- Pre-Established Harmony -- Freedom.
Özet, vb.
In the present book, Pauline Phemister argues against traditional Anglo-American interpretations of Leibniz as an idealist who conceives ultimate reality as a plurality of mind-like immaterial beings and for whom physical bodies are ultimately unreal and our perceptions of them illusory. Re-reading the texts without the prior assumption of idealism allows the more material aspects of Leibniz's metaphysics to emerge. Leibniz is found to advance a synthesis of idealism and materialism. His ontology posits indivisible, living, animal-like corporeal substances as the real metaphysical constituents of the universe; his epistemology combines sense-experience and reason; and his ethics fuses confused perceptions and insensible appetites with distinct perceptions and rational choice. In the light of his sustained commitment to the reality of bodies, Phemister re-examines his dynamics, the doctrine of pre-established harmony and his views on freedom. The image of Leibniz as a rationalist philosopher who values activity and reason over passivity and sense-experience is replaced by the one of a philosopher who recognises that, in the created world, there can only be activity if there is also passivity; minds, souls and forms if there is also matter; good if there is evil; perfection if there is imperfection.
Konu
Philosophy.
Philosophy __ History.
Philosophy of nature.
Philosophy.
History of Philosophy.
Philosophy of Nature.