Leibniz and the Rational Order of Nature

This is the most up-to-date and comprehensive interpretation of the philosophy of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716). Among its other virtues, it makes considerable use of unpublished manuscript sources. The book seeks to demonstrate the systematic unity of Leibniz's thought, in which theodicy, ethics, metaphysics and natural philosophy cohere. The key, underlying idea of the system is the conception of nature as an order designed by God to maximize the opportunities for the exercise of reason. This Comprehensive Interpretation Of The Philosophy Of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) Reveals The Systematic Unity Of Leibniz's Thought, In Which Theodicy, Ethics, Metaphysics, And Natural Philosophy Contribute To A Single Vision Of The Best Of All Possible Worlds. The Key Idea Underlying The System Is The Conception Of Nature As A Harmonious Order Designed By God To Maximize Opportunities For The Exercise Of Reason. From This Emerges An Ethical Ideal In Which The Virtue And Happiness Of Human Beings Are Promoted Through The Gradual Extension Of Intellectual Enlightenment. Professor Rutherford Argues That Leibniz's Metaphysical Theories Are Best Understood As Attempts To Model The Complex Order And Harmony Of Nature, Thereby Providing Support For The Claims Of His Theodicy. Through Detailed Textual Analyses Involving Many Unpublished Manuscript Sources, The Author Demonstrates The Essential Unity Of Leibniz's Philosophy And Its Neglected Moral Underpinnings. This Major Contribution To Leibniz Scholarship Will Prove Invaluable To Historians Of Philosophy, Theology, And Science. Pt. I. Theodicy. 1. The Vindication Of Divine Justice. 2. The Maximization Of Perfection And Harmony. 3. Happiness And Virtue In The Best Of All Possible Worlds -- Pt. Ii. First Philosophy. 4. Metaphysics And Its Method. 5. The Categories Of Thought And Being. 6. Substance -- Pt. Iii. Nature. 7. Modeling The Best Of All Possible Worlds. 8. Monads, Matter, And Organisms. 9. Dynamics And The Reality Of Matter. 10. Corporeal Substance And The Union Of Soul And Body. Donald Rutherford. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [291]-296) And Index. This is the most up-to-date and comprehensive interpretation of the philosophy of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716). Amongst its other virtues, it makes considerable use of unpublished manuscript sources. The book seeks to demonstrate the systematic unity of Leibniz's thought, in which theodicy, ethics, metaphysics and natural philosophy cohere. The key, underlying idea of the system is the conception of nature as an order designed by God to maximise the opportunities for the exercise of reason. From this idea emerges the view that this world is the best of all possible worlds, and an ethical ideal in which the well-being of human beings is promoted through the gradual extension of intellectual enlightenment Leibniz's doctrine of theodicy is a modern response to an ancient problem: how to reconcile the existence of evil-particularly undeserved human suffering-with the assumption that world has been created by a God who is both infinitely powerful and infinitely just. Rutherford demonstrates the systematic unity of Leibniz's thought, in which theodicy, ethics, metaphysics and natural philosophy cohere. This comprehensive interpretation makes considerable use of unpublished manuscript sources