Leibnizs Metaphysics of Time and Space (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, 258)

Leibniz’s metaphysics of space and time stands at the centre of his philosophy and is one of the high-water marks in the history of the philosophy of science. In this work, Futch provides the first systematic and comprehensive examination of Leibniz’s thought on this subject. In addition to elucidating the nature of Leibniz’s relationalism, the book fills a lacuna in existing scholarship by examining his views on the topological structure of space and time, including the unity and unboundedness of space and time. It is shown that, like many of his more recent counterparts, Leibniz adopts a causal theory of time where temporal facts are grounded on causal facts, and that his approach to time represents a precursor to non-tensed theories of time. Futch then goes on to situate Leibniz’s philosophy of space and time within the broader context of his idealistic metaphysics and natural theology. Emphasizing the historical background of Leibniz’s thought, the book also places him in dialogue with contemporary philosophy of science, underscoring the enduring philosophical interest of Leibniz’s metaphysics of time and space. Leibniz's Metaphysics Of Space And Time Stands At The Centre Of His Philosophy And Is One Of The High-water Marks In The History Of The Philosophy Of Science. In This Work, Michael Futch Provides The First Systematic And Comprehensive Examination Of Leibniz's Thought On This Subject. In Addition To Elucidating The Nature Of Leibniz's Relationalism, The Book Fills A Lacuna In Existing Scholarship By Examining His Views On The Topological Structure Of Space And Time, Including The Unity And Unboundedness Of Space Time. It Is Shown That, Like Many Of His More Recent Counterparts, Leibniz Adopts A Causal Theory Of Time Where Temporal Facts Are Grounded On Causal Facts, And That His Approach To Time Represents A Precursor To Non-tensed Theories Of Time. Futch Then Goes On To Situate Leibniz's Philosophy Of Space And Time Within The Broader Context Of His Idealistic Metaphysics And Natural Theology. Emphasizing The Historical Background Of Leibniz's Thought, The Book Also Places Him In Dialogue With Contemporary Philosophy Of Science, Underscoring The Enduring Philosophical Interest Of Leibniz's Metaphysics Of Time And Space.--book Jacket. Michael J. Futch. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 195-200) And Indexes. Leibniza (TM)s metaphysics of space and time stands at the centre of his philosophy and is one of the high-water marks in the history of the philosophy of science. In this work, Futch provides the first systematic and comprehensive examination of Leibniza (TM)s thought on this subject. In addition to elucidating the nature of Leibniza (TM)s relationalism, the book fills a lacuna in existing scholarship by examining his views on the topological structure of space and time, including the unity and unboundedness of space and time. It is shown that, like many of his more recent counterparts, Leibn Front Matter....Pages i-xiv A Brief History of the Philosophy of Space and Time....Pages 5-28 Leibniz's Reductionism....Pages 29-56 The Unity of Time and Space....Pages 57-80 The Bounds of Space and Time....Pages 81-103 Causal and Temporal Asymmetry....Pages 105-127 Leibniz on Past, Present, and Future....Pages 129-142 Space, Time, and Harmony....Pages 143-170 Space, Time, and God....Pages 171-194 Back Matter....Pages 195-205