Leibniz on Compossibility and Possible Worlds (The New Synthese Historical Library Book 75)

This volume brings together a number of original articles by leading Leibniz scholars to address the meaning and significance of Leibniz s notions of compossibility and possible worlds. In order to avoid the conclusion that everything that exists is necessary, or that all possibles are actual, as Spinoza held, Leibniz argued that not all possible substances are compossible, that is, capable of coexisting. In Leibniz s view, the compossibility relation divides all possible substances into disjoint sets, each of which constitutes a possible world, or a way that God might have created things. For Leibniz, then, it is the compossibility relation that individuates possible worlds; and possible worlds form the objects of God s choice, from among which he chooses the best for creation. Thus the notions of compossibility and possible worlds are of major significance for Leibniz s metaphysics, his theodicy, and, ultimately, for his ethics. Given the fact, however, that none of the approaches to understanding Leibniz s notions of compossibility and possible words suggested to date have gained universal acceptance, the goal of this book is to gather a body of new papers that explore ways of either refining previous interpretations in light of the objections that have been raised against them, or ways of framing new interpretations that will contribute to a fresh understanding of these key notions in Leibniz s thought. " This Volume Brings Together A Number Of Original Articles By Leading Leibniz Scholars To Address The Meaning And Significance Of Leibniz's Notions Of Compossibility And Possible Worlds. Leibniz Argued That Not All Possible Substances Are Compossible, That Is, Capable Of Coexisting. In Leibniz's View, The Compossibility Relation Divides All Possible Substances Into Disjoint Sets, Each Of Which Constitutes A Possible World, Or A Way That God Might Have Created Things. For Leibniz, Then, It Is The Compossibility Relation That Individuates Possible Worlds; And Possible Worlds Form The Objects Of God's Choice, From Among Which He Chooses The Best For Creation. Thus The Notions Of Compossibility And Possible Worlds Are Of Major Significance For Leibniz's Metaphysics, His Theodicy, And, Ultimately, For His Ethics. The Goal Of This Book Is To Gather A Body Of New Papers That Explore Ways Of Either Refining Previous Interpretations In Light Of The Objections That Have Been Raised Against Them, Or Ways Of Framing New Interpretations That Will Contribute To A Fresh Understanding Of These Key Notions In Leibniz's Thought. Gregory Brown, Yual Chiek, Editors. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-20 On the Source of Incompossibility in Leibniz’s Paris Notes and Some Remarks on Time and Space as Packing Constraints....Pages 21-35 Leibniz’s World-Apart Doctrine....Pages 37-63 On Worlds, Laws and Tiles: Leibniz and the Problem of Compossibility....Pages 65-90 Compossibility and Co-possibility....Pages 91-124 Compossibility, Compatibility, Congruity....Pages 125-144 Leibniz, Acosmism, and Incompossibility....Pages 145-174 Divine Faculties and the Puzzle of Incompossibility....Pages 175-199 Leibniz on the Possibility of a Spatial Vacuum, the Connectedness Condition on Possible Worlds, and Miracles....Pages 201-226 The Fate of the World (and Compossibility) After Leibniz: The Development of Cosmology in German Philosophy from Leibniz to Kant....Pages 227-249 Back Matter....Pages 251-256