Leibniz
An Introduction

Broad's characteristically shrewd survey of Leibniz provides a very clear, detailed and orderly guide to a notoriously difficult philosophical system.

C. D Broad (Author)

9780521099257, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 June 1975

188 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.1 cm, 0.25 kg

This book, first published in 1975, provides critical and comprehensive introduction to the philosophy of Leibniz. C.D. Broad was Knightsbridge Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cambridge from 1933 to 1953 and this book is based on his undergraduate lectures on Leibniz. Broad died in 1971 and Dr Lewy has since edited the book for publication. Leibniz is, of course, recognized as a major figure in all courses in the history of philosophy, but he has perhaps been less well served by textbook writers than most other philosophers. Broad has provided here a characteristically shrewd and sympathetic survey which further confirms his known virtues as an historian and expositor. It is a very clear, detailed and orderly guide to what is notoriously a most difficult (and sometimes disorderly) philosophical system; it provides a masterful introduction to the subject.

Editor's preface
Abbreviations
Part I. Life and Works
Part II. General Principles Used by Leibniz: 1. Predicate-in-Notion Principle
2. Principle of sufficient reason
3. Is the Predicate-in-Notion Principle compatible with contingency?
4. Comments on the Predicate-in-Notion Principle
5. Principle of Sufficient Reason, contingency, and infinite complexity
6. Denial of relations
7. Identity of Indiscernibles
8. The Principle of continuity
9. Denial of transeunt causation
Part III. Leibniz's Theory of Corporeal Substances: 1. Background of Leibniz's theories
2. Extension and motion
3. Relativity of space, time and motion
4. Dynamical properties of bodies
5. Endless divisibility
6. Argument for substantial forms for the Predicate-in-Notion Principle
7. Substantial forms and organic bodies are ingenerable and incorruptible
Part IV. Theory of Monads: 1. Monads and entelechies
2. Corporeal substance is a phenomenon bene fundatum
3. Plurality of substances
4. Characteristics of monads
5. Pre-established harmony
6. The three kinds of monad
7. The real foundation of the various bodily phenomena
8. Theory of organisms
9. Apparent interaction of body and mind
10. The Viniculum Substantiale
Part V. Psychology and the Theory of Knowledge: 1. Conscious and unconscious experiences
2. The innate and the a priori
3. Sensation and sense-perception
4. Conative and affective experiences
Part VI. Ethics
Part VII. Theology: 1. God's nature and relations to the world
2. Existence of God
3. Defence of God's character
4. The Kingdom of Ends
Bibliographical note
Index.

Subject Areas: History of Western philosophy [HPC]