Living mirrors infinity, unity, and life in Leibniz's philosophy
"This work presents Leibniz's view of infinity and the central role it plays in his theory of living beings. Chapter 1 introduces Leibniz's approach to infinity by presenting the central concepts he employs; chapter 2 presents the historical background through Leibniz's encounter...
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| Format: | Elektronisch E-Book |
| Sprache: | English |
| Veröffentlicht: |
New York, NY
Oxford University Press
[2019]
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| Online-Zugang: | URL des Erstveröffentlichers |
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| Zusammenfassung: | "This work presents Leibniz's view of infinity and the central role it plays in his theory of living beings. Chapter 1 introduces Leibniz's approach to infinity by presenting the central concepts he employs; chapter 2 presents the historical background through Leibniz's encounters with Galileo and Descartes, exposing a tension between the notions of an infinite number and of an infinite being; chapter 3 argues that Leibniz's solution to this tension, developed through his encounter with Spinoza (circa 1676), consists of distinguishing between a quantitative and a non-quantitative use of infinity, and an intermediate degree of infinity - a maximum in its kind, which sheds light on Leibniz's use of infinity as a defining mark of living beings; chapter 4 examines the connection between infinity and unity; chapter 5 presents the development of Leibniz's views on infinity and life; chapter 6 explores Leibniz's distinction between artificial and natural machines; chapter 7 focuses on Leibniz's image of a living mirror, contrasting it with Pascal's image of a mite; chapter 8 argues that Leibniz understands creatures as infinite and limited, or as infinite in their own kind, in distinction from the absolute infinity of God; chapter 9 argues that Leibniz's concept of a monad holds at every level of reality; chapter 10 compares Leibniz's use of life and primitive force. The conclusion presents Leibniz's program of infusing life into every aspect of nature as an attempt to re-enchant a view of nature left disenchanted by Descartes and Spinoza"... |
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| Beschreibung: | Includes bibliographical references |
| Beschreibung: | 1 Online-Ressource |
| ISBN: | 9780190907327 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/oso/9780190907327.001.0001 |