1

The Rationalists: LeibnizThe Rationalists: LeibnizIndividual SubstancesIndividual Substances

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

2

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

3

Review: Review: Leibniz: RationalismLeibniz: Rationalism

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Epistemology:- Granted to the empiricist: empirical knowledge- Against the empiricist: knowledge of eternal truths- Granted to the empiricist: senses as necessary triggers - Against the empiricist: ultimately grounded in pure reason

Two kinds of truths:- Necessary Truths – Contradiction - Contingent Truths – Sufficient Reason

4

Review: Review: Leibniz: TheodicyLeibniz: Theodicy

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Starting Point of Leibniz’ philosophy:- God is absolutely perfect - Hence the world is perfect

Perfect in which sense?- God’s Freedom is enlightened, not arbitrary - Perfection = minimal means, maximal complexity The best possible world

5

Introduction: Introduction: Leibniz: MetaphysicsLeibniz: Metaphysics

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

The dangers of the modern reductionism- Descartes: matter = extension and movement- Spinoza: one single substance Materialism, necessitarianism, atheism

The conceptual problems within modern reductionism: - Individuation - Freedom with teleology - Moral responsibility

6

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

7

Individual Substances and Individual Substances and PredicationPredication

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Previous notions of substance - self-sufficient being (Spinoza)- what remains constant under changes (wax)

Substance as the subject of predication- What is predication? Assign a predicate to a subjectJalisco is a cat- From language to metaphysics- Substances are these beings which are referred to by subjects which cannot be predicated - Which are they?

8

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

9

Individual Substances as the Fundamental Individual Substances as the Fundamental Constituents of the UniverseConstituents of the Universe

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Taking seriously the notion of substance: - Unique individuals – Principle of Identity of Indiscernibles- Indivisible – ultimate elements- Immutable – except by God- Depend only on God – emanation from God

10

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

11

Individual Substances as Self-Individual Substances as Self-ContainedContained

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Requirements for a satisfactory metaphysics:- Fundamental constituents- Recover appearances

Problem: How come that individual substances appear to undergo accidental changes?

Solution: Self-containment The complete notion of an individual substances contains all the predicates that the substance has had, has and will haveExamples?

12

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

13

Individual Substances defined by Individual Substances defined by their Substantial Formtheir Substantial Form

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

The old notion of substantial form:- Crucial notion for Aristotle and the Scholastics - Example: the socrates-hood of Socrates What makes something what it is

Despised by modern philosopher: vacuous explanation

Defended by Leibniz for metaphysics: - vacuous explanation in physics - clock- necessary in metaphysics – unity and individuation

14

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

15

Individual Substances as Independent Individual Substances as Independent Mirrors of the UniverseMirrors of the Universe

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Requirements for a satisfactory metaphysics

Problem: The appearance that each substance interact with the external world?

Solution: Mirrors of the UniverseEach individual substance expresses the entirety of the universe from its own perspectiveAnalogy: movie theater

16

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

17

Pre-established HarmonyPre-established Harmony

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Requirements for a satisfactory metaphysicsProblem: Correlations between our world – causal connectionsAre we watching movies independently or acting in the same movie?Solution: Pre-established Harmony- Correlations: direct causal influence vs. synchronization- Super synchronization by God’s decreeAnalogy

Appearance of causality: - Causality is an illusion- Causal Influences: restriction/expansion of the domain of expression

18

OutlineOutline

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

1. Introduction2. Individual Substances and Predication

3. Individual Substances as the fundamental constituents

4. Individual Substances are ``self contained”

5. Individual Substances and their Substantial Form

6. Individual Substances: Independent Mirrors

7. Pre-established Harmony

8. Conclusion

19

Conclusion on Leibniz’ MetaphysicsConclusion on Leibniz’ Metaphysics

Soazig Le Bihan - University of Montana

Fundamental Level: Independent, self-contained, unique, indivisible and immutable substances emanating from God:- Each possesses an intrinsic principle of unity - Each expresses the entire universe from its unique perspective - All perspectives are synchronized

Phenomenal Level:Well grounded illusion of a causal order between interacting systems in a common, material world.