Leibniz and the Natural World: Activity, Passivity and Corporeal Substances in Leibniz's Philosophy

304 Pages·2005·3.418 MB·English

by  Pauline Phemister (auth.)

LEIBNIZ AND THE NATURALWORLD
The New Synthese Historical Library
Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy
VOLUME 58
Managing Editor:
SIMOKKKNUUTTILA,University of Helsinki
Associate Editors:
DANIELELLIOTGARBER,Princeton University
RICHARDSORABJI,University of London
EditorialConsultants:
JANA.AERTSEN,Thomas-Institut, Universität zu Köln
ROGERARIEW,Virginia Polytechnic Institute
E. JENNIFERASHWORTH,University of Waterloo
MICHAELAAAYERS,Wadham College, Oxford
GAILFINE,Cornell University
R.J. HANKINSON,University of Texas
JAAKKOHINTIKKA,Boston University
PPPAULHOFFMAN,University of California, Riverside
DAVIDKONSTAN,Brown University
RICHARDH. KRAUT,Northwestern University, Evanston
ALAINDELIBERA,Université de Genève
JOHNE. MURDOCH,Harvard University
DAVIDFFFATENORTON,McGill University
LUCAOBERTELLO,Università degli Studi di Genova
ELEONORESTUMP,St. Louis University
ALLENWOOD,Stanford University
The titles published in this series are listed at the end of this volume.
LEIBNIZ AND THE
NATURAL WORLD
Activity, Passivity and Corporeal Substances
in Leibniz’s Philosophy
by
PAULINE PHEMISTER
University of Liverpool,
U.K.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN-10 1-4020-3400-8 (HB)
ISBN-10 1-4020-3401-6 (e-book)
ISBN-13 978-1-4020-3400-8 (HB)
ISBN-13 978-1-4020-3401-5 (e-book)
Published by Springer,
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CONTENTS
Preface ix
Abbreviations xi
Introduction 1
1. SUBSTANCES: PUBLIC AND PRIVATE 7
1.1 The public monad 7
1.2 Monads and Cartesian minds: the French connection 9
1.3 Disagreement with Descartes 15
1.4 Firstentelechies 20
2. PRIMARY MATTER 31
2.1 Substantial form and primary matter 31
2.2 Complete and incomplete substances 33
2.3 Completion of the active and the passive 40
2.4 Naturally necessary extension 46
3. EXTENSION 57
3.1 Continuity 58
3.2 Plurality and discrete repetition 60
3.3 Co-existence 65
3.4 Completion of the entelechy 70
3.5 Complete corporeal substances 72
4. THE COMPOSITION OF BODIES 81
4.1 Aggregates of substances 81
4.2 Metaphors and similes 89
4.3 The Fardella Notes 91
4.4 Parts and wholes 97
5. THE COMPOSITIONOF THE CONTINUUM 105
5.1 The realversus the ideal 106
5.2 The Cartesian continuum and alternatives 109
5.3 Reality and ideality of corporeal substances 118
v
vi CONTENTS
6 PERCEPTIONS AND PERCEIVERS 133
6.1 Perceptions and perceivers 134
6.2 Perceptual multiplicity 142
6.3 Independence and solipsism 149
7 PHENOMENAL BODIES 161
7.1 Spiritual phenomenalism 161
7.2 Monadological phenomenalism 162
7.3 Corporeal substance phenomenalism 165
7.4 Real Phenomena 169
7.5 Rainbows 175
7.6 First and third person perspectives 177
8 DERIVATIVE FORCES 187
8.1 Derivative active force 191
8.2 Modifications 194
8.3 Derivative passive force 202
9 PRE-ESTABLISHED HARMONY 213
9.1 Derivative forces and perceptions 213
9.2 Harmony of mind and body 215
9.3 Alleged priority of internal modifications 220
9.4 Multiple harmonies 222
9.5 Final andefficientcauses 225
9.6 Nature and grace 227
10 FREEDOM 241
10.1 The perfection of the world 241
10.2 Evil 244
10.3 Passivity and freedom 245
10.4 Appetition 247
10.5 Body 252
10.6 Moralevil 255
Bibliography 269
Index of Names 279
Index of Subjects 281
For Andrew
PREFACE
The first draft of this book was completed in 1999 with the aid of a
research grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Board. In the
intervening years, administrative and teaching commitments, as well as
other writing projects, have delayed its progress. It is completed now
thanks to the decision of the University of Liverpool to release me from
teaching duties for one year.
In 1998, I published a paper, ‘Leibniz and the Elements of Compound
Bodies’ in the British Journal for the History of Philosophy, (1999) 7-1,
57-78. This book expands the thesis presented there and re-interprets
other aspects of Leibniz’s philosophy in light of its conclusions. The paper
itself is used in parts of chapters 1 – 4. I am grateful to the editor of the
journal, Professor John Rogers, for permission to use the material here.
Chapter 5 is based on a paper presented at a workshop held in Florence in
2001, organised by Massimo Mugnai. Chapter 6 makes use of some of a
paper presented at the Leibniz Gesellschaft conference in Berlin in 2001.
A latter part of ‘Exploring Leibniz’s Kingdoms: a philosophical analysis
of Nature and Grace’ is used in chapter 9. This first appeared in
Ecotheology: The Journal of Religion, Nature and Environment. Edited
by Celia Deane-Drummond, volume 7.3, pages 126-45. Published in 2003
by Continuum © Equinox Publishing Ltd. I am grateful for permission to
reproduce sections here. One more paper deserves mention. ‘Can
Perceptions and Motions be Harmonised?’ published in 1996 as part of
the collection edited by Roger Woolhouse, Leibniz’s ‘New System’ (169666)
is not reproduced here, but its topic and the general thrust of its
conclusions, are discernible in chapter 9.
I wish to record my immense debt to John Llewelyn who first
introduced me to research. I am equally indebted to Stuart Brown who for
many years has combined philosophical discussion with welcome advice
and encouragement. I have profited also from discussions with and the
friendship of many Leibniz scholars, but would like to mention in
particular, Richard Arthur, Philip Beeley, Andreas Blank, Marc Bobro,
Martha Bolton, Greg Brown, Sven Erdner, Daniel Garber, Glenn Hartz,
Hidé Ishiguro, Mark Kulstad, Paul Lodge, Christia Mercer, Massimo
Mugnai, Ohad Nachtomy, Harry Parkinson, Hans Poser, Justin Smith,
Catherine Wilson and Roger Woolhouse. My thanks go also to Nelson
Potter for his gift many years ago of what is now a well-worn copy of
ix
x PREFACE
Loemker. Finally, I extend my grateful thanks to my family and other
friends who have provided essential balance throughout.
Further debts are due to the many scholars who have undertaken the
labour-intensive task of translation. Frequent use of these is made here,
although sometimes I have used my own or altered the published
translations. In all cases, however, where there is an English translation
in current use, I have acknowledged it, irrespective of its closeness or
otherwise to the translation given.
ABBREVIATIONS
A Sämtliche Schriften und Briefe, Darmstadt and Berlin: Berlin
Academy, 1923-.
AG R. Ariew and D. Garber, trs. & eds., G. W. Leibniz:
Philosophical Essays, Indianapolis: Hackett, 1989.
Alex H. T. Alexander, tr., The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence,
Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1956.
Ariew R. Ariew, tr., G. W. Leibniz and Samuel Clarke:
Correspondence, Indianapolis & Cambridge: Hackett, 2000.
Arthur R. T. W. Arthur, ed. & tr., G. W. Leibniz, The Labyrinth of the
Continuum. Writings of 1672 to 1686, Yale University Press,
2001.
AT C Adam & P. Tannery, eds. Oeuvres de Descartes, rev. ed., 12
vols., Paris : Vrin/C.N.R.S., 1964-76.
C L. Couturat, ed., Opuscules et Fragments Inédits de Leibniz,
Paris : Félix Alcan, 1903. Reprint, Hildesheim : Olms, 1966.
CSM J. Cottingham, R. Stoothoff and D. Murdoch, trs. & eds., The
Philosophical Writings of Descartes, 3 vols., Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 1985-.
Dutens L. Dutens, ed., G. G. Leibnitii: Opera Omnia, 6 vols., Geneva:
Fratres de Tournes, 1768.
FC A. Foucher de Careil, ed., Nouvelles Lettres et Opuscules
Inédits de Leibniz, Paris : Auguste Durand, 1857; Olms reprint:
Hildesheim, 1971.
FCS Foucher de Careil, Refutation Inédit de Spinoza, Paris: E Brière,
1854.
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