Infinity in Leibniz's Metaphysics: Substantial Unity and Possibility
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Authors
Michieli, Nicholas
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Leibniz , Early Modern Philosophy , History of Philosophy
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Abstract
Recent decades in Leibniz scholarship have seen the growing influence of a new interpretation of his metaphysics, based on the understanding and development of his conception of infinity/the infinite. In the early modern period, Leibniz was likely the philosopher who devoted the most attention to the subject of infinity. For this reason, it plays a fundamental role in nearly every aspect of his philosophy. This thesis is a presentation and interpretation of Leibniz’s metaphysics centred around his notion of infinity. It is arranged into two chapters, the first concerning the relation of infinity in Leibniz’s metaphysics to his conception of substance. This idea is fundamental because it ties into (inter alia) Leibniz’s conception of the monad, the idea of substantial unity as contrasted with corporeal body, the composition of the continuum and the actual infinity of monads. The second chapter relates infinity to possibility and impossibility in Leibniz’s metaphysics, under two broad arcs. The first arc of chapter two arrays infinity in relation to the divine will in choosing this ‘best of all possible worlds’, and then demonstrates what qualities this world possesses in relation to necessity and the ‘actual infinite’. The second arc of the second chapter considers arguments for three integral metaphysical notions which Leibniz deems to be impossible [the world soul, infinite number, and knowledge of God’s will], with attention as to how infinity is expressed in the actual infinity which constitutes the entire world. This work focuses on many main philosophical works of Leibniz, as well as 21st century commentary from noteworthy Leibniz scholars like Richard Arthur, Ohad Nachtomy, Gregory Brown, and Samuel Levey.
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States