Leibniz and the Natural World Activity, Passivity and Corporeal Substances in Leibniz's Philosophy /
Phemister, Pauline.
Leibniz and the Natural World Activity, Passivity and Corporeal Substances in Leibniz's Philosophy / [electronic resource] : by Pauline Phemister. - XV, 293p. online resource. - The New Synthese Historical Library Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy ; 58 . - The New Synthese Historical Library Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy ; 58 .
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.
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.
9781402034015 99781402034015
10.1007/1-4020-3401-6 doi
PHILOSOPHY (GENERAL).
PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE.
PHILOSOPHY.
PHILOSOPHY.
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY.
PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE.
10
Leibniz and the Natural World Activity, Passivity and Corporeal Substances in Leibniz's Philosophy / [electronic resource] : by Pauline Phemister. - XV, 293p. online resource. - The New Synthese Historical Library Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy ; 58 . - The New Synthese Historical Library Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy ; 58 .
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.
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.
9781402034015 99781402034015
10.1007/1-4020-3401-6 doi
PHILOSOPHY (GENERAL).
PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE.
PHILOSOPHY.
PHILOSOPHY.
HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY.
PHILOSOPHY OF NATURE.
10