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Leibniz – Monadology ILeibniz – Monadology I

Charles ManekinCharles Manekin

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Topics of DiscussionTopics of Discussion

BiographyBiography MonadsMonads Monadic PerceptionMonadic Perception Souls and SpiritsSouls and Spirits

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LifeLife

1646-1716, Germany1646-1716, Germany• Father a professor of moral philosophy. The Father a professor of moral philosophy. The

minds power over the affectsminds power over the affects• Early university career, but goes into diplomacyEarly university career, but goes into diplomacy• 1772-6, meets Arnauld, Malebranche, Huygens, 1772-6, meets Arnauld, Malebranche, Huygens,

SpinozaSpinoza• Becomes diplomat and courtier for Duke of Becomes diplomat and courtier for Duke of

Hanover, runs cultural affairs of the DuchyHanover, runs cultural affairs of the Duchy At the court with HandelAt the court with Handel Known primarily as a mathematicianKnown primarily as a mathematician

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WorksWorks

First, under the influence of the First, under the influence of the scholastics, then the materials, and finally, scholastics, then the materials, and finally, idealismidealism

From 1675-84 worked on mathematics, From 1675-84 worked on mathematics, physics, and logic. Laid the groundwork for physics, and logic. Laid the groundwork for the invention of calculus, differential and the invention of calculus, differential and integralintegral

Published only one book in his lifetime; Published only one book in his lifetime; many papers, and much correspondencemany papers, and much correspondence

Monadology (171) one of two overviews of Monadology (171) one of two overviews of the system.the system.

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MonadsMonads The monad which we shall discuss here is The monad which we shall discuss here is

nothing other than a simple substance that nothing other than a simple substance that enters into composite.. Simple means without enters into composite.. Simple means without parts.parts.

Monads must exist, since composites exist, and Monads must exist, since composites exist, and there must be something of which they are there must be something of which they are composites.composites.

Composites have principles of organization, and Composites have principles of organization, and these can only be spiritual.these can only be spiritual.

Monads must be spiritual because material Monads must be spiritual because material things have parts. things have parts.

Monads are neither created (after the first Monads are neither created (after the first creation) or destroyed.creation) or destroyed.

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Monads as spiritual substancesMonads as spiritual substances

Monads are causally self-sufficientMonads are causally self-sufficient• Are not affected or impacted by other Are not affected or impacted by other

substances.substances. Monadic activity is entirely inner-Monadic activity is entirely inner-

developed.developed. ““Monads have no windows”Monads have no windows” Simple substances with properties Simple substances with properties

programmed into them.programmed into them.

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Differentiation Between MonadsDifferentiation Between Monads Monads differ from each other intrinsically.Monads differ from each other intrinsically.

• Not spatio-temporallyNot spatio-temporally• Could one have two identical monads?Could one have two identical monads?• Could God will two identical monads?Could God will two identical monads?

Monads are constantly in change; they are Monads are constantly in change; they are temporal and historical, but not as we temporal and historical, but not as we experience time.experience time.• Think of a page of music. It exists all at one Think of a page of music. It exists all at one

time, but phrases lead to other phrases. Yet we time, but phrases lead to other phrases. Yet we experience it over time.experience it over time.

• Yet not clear how other entities would Yet not clear how other entities would experience time. experience time.

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Change and ComplexityChange and Complexity

What differentiates monads then is What differentiates monads then is the rich complexity of their the rich complexity of their properties.properties.

A point is is perfectly simple, yet an A point is is perfectly simple, yet an infinity of angles are formed by lines infinity of angles are formed by lines meeting in it. meeting in it.

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Monadic PerceptionMonadic Perception

Monadic perception is constant; Monadic perception is constant; should be distinguished from should be distinguished from consciousness and even awareness.consciousness and even awareness.• The ocean roar. What we are hearing, The ocean roar. What we are hearing,

but what we cannot distinguish, is the but what we cannot distinguish, is the sound made my individual waves. sound made my individual waves.

• All monads have perceptions; animals All monads have perceptions; animals have apperceptions; and humans have have apperceptions; and humans have consciousness/reason.consciousness/reason.

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AppetitionAppetition

Appetition is the activity of the inner Appetition is the activity of the inner principle of change, the desire to develop principle of change, the desire to develop from one perception to another. Each from one perception to another. Each perception draws after it another perception draws after it another perceptionperception• Conatus vs. Appetition: the Roller Coaster Drop Conatus vs. Appetition: the Roller Coaster Drop

vs. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. vs. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. • Rejection of reductionist materialism – Rejection of reductionist materialism –

consciousness is irreducible. consciousness is irreducible. Monads are functionings, entelechies, Monads are functionings, entelechies,

perfections, goal-directedperfections, goal-directed