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. Contents......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 1. A Brief History of the Philosophy of Space and Time......Page 14 1.1 Substantivalism and Reductionism......Page 15 1.2 The Unity of Space and Time......Page 21 1.3 The Infinitude of Time and Space......Page 27 1.4 The Linearity of Time......Page 35 2. Leibniz's Reductionism......Page 38 2.1 Leibniz and Reductionism......Page 39 2.2.1 Sufficient Reason and Identity......Page 41 2.2.2 PSR, PII, and Reductionism......Page 46 2.3 Space, Time, and Substance......Page 50 2.4 Aristotle's Principle, Time, and Change......Page 54 2.5 Leibnizian Reductionism......Page 56 2.6 Space and Time as Continuous Magnitudes......Page 61 3. The Unity of Time and Space......Page 66 3.1 The Unity of Time......Page 68 3.2 Branching Time......Page 69 3.3 The Possibility of Multiple Time Streams......Page 74 3.3.1 Multiple Worlds in Leibniz's Early Philosophy......Page 76 3.3.2 Compossibility and the Unity of Time......Page 80 3.4 The Unity of Space......Page 88 4. The Bounds of Space and Time......Page 90 4.1 Leibniz on Infinite Temporal Regressions......Page 91 4.2.1 The Present as Midpoint......Page 97 4.2.2 Plenitude and the Bounds of Space and Time......Page 99 4.3 The World's Increase in Perfection......Page 108 5. Causal and Temporal Asymmetry......Page 113 5.1 Causation......Page 115 5.2.1 Modeling Leibniz's Causal Theory of Time......Page 123 5.2.2 Leibniz's Causal Theory of Time......Page 126 5.3 The Linearity of Time......Page 133 6. Leibniz on Past, Present, and Future......Page 136 6.1 Tensed and Non-tensed Times......Page 137 6.2 Leibniz on Time and Change......Page 138 6.3 Meaning and Truth......Page 142 6.4 Leibniz and Presentism......Page 146 7. Space, Time, and Harmony......Page 150 7.1 The Harmony of Worlds......Page 152 7.1.1 The Harmony of Phenomena......Page 153 7.1.2 The Harmony of Substances......Page 155 7.2 Monads and Space......Page 159 7.3 Monads and Time......Page 167 7.3.1 Are Monads Temporal?......Page 168 7.3.2 The Atemporality of Monads......Page 174 8. Space, Time, and God......Page 178 8.1.1 The Names of God......Page 179 8.1.2 Analogy, Univocity, and Omnipresence......Page 182 8.1.3 Leibniz Against God's Spatiality......Page 185 8.1.4 Leibniz on Divine Immensity and Omnipresence......Page 187 8.2 Divine Eternity......Page 191 8.2.1 Eternities......Page 192 8.2.2 The History of God's Eternity......Page 195 8.2.3 Leibniz on Divine Eternity......Page 198 Bibliography......Page 202 G......Page 208 W......Page 209 I......Page 210 S......Page 211 V......Page 212 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