The Monadology

Leibniz was one of the most amazing polymaths of the European Renaissance. An expert in Law, Philosophy, History, Geology, Mathematics and Natural Science (Leibniz co-invented the calculus with Newton) he is rightly said to be one of the last 'universal geniuses' in Europe. Not many know the great mathematician was also a great Philosopher, much like Descartes before him. Perhaps he is better known to many through Voltaire's satirical novel 'Candide', which ridicules a philosopher much like Leibniz who remains optimistic despite experiencing the worst series of disasters which could befall a man. Leibniz was a rationalist, in the sense he believed the mind could gain access to transempirical truths through reason alone, above and beyond sense experience. He also set up a metaphysical schema of the universe which included God and entities called 'monads.' Monads are idealistic centers of awareness, varying in their capacity for growth. God is the creator of monads and also of the universe, though our universe is the best out of all possible universes God chose to make, a view which led to Voltaire crudely attacking him in satire. In some ways this view is somewhat like that of Origen and Evagrius of Pontus, who believed that God created various beings who fell from their contemplation of the logos and in doing so created our visible world. This edition includes valuble study notes and commentary on the text, and references to additional sources.

What distinguishes this edition of the Monadology from all others is the extra material included by Rescher. Rescher has collected material from Leibniz's other writings which shed great light on the concepts in the Monadology. In addition, he had included his own commentary on each of the 90 sections.If you read the bare Monadology, you will probably be confused since it is too brief. If you read this edition, you are actually reading Leibniz's own commentary on the Monadology, and your understanding will be greatly enhanced.

Leibniz' "Monadology" offers a deeply thought out alternative to the physicalist world view implicit in Galileo and the mechanistic side of Descartes. Leibniz outlines a fascinating and distinct view of the relationship of mind and body, the nature of organisms, and the nature of the universe. Rescher's edition is nothing short of spectacular, offering elaboration of each proposition in the "Monadology" with extensive quotes from Leibniz' other works, as well as his own commentary. This edition is one of the best available ways of becoming acquainted with Leibniz' thought and with the substantive issues involved. Readers who find this book interesting might also enjoy reading Heidegger's commentaries on Leibniz in his book "The Metaphysical Foundations of Logic." Here Heidegger is at his best, offering detailed textual exegesis and a sincere attempt to find the inner logic of Leibiz' thought.

Leibniz' "Monadology" offers a deeply thought out alternative to the physicalist world view implicit in Galileo and the mechanistic side of Descartes. Leibniz outlines a fascinating and distinct view of the relationship of mind and body, the nature of organisms, and the nature of the universe. Rescher's edition is nothing short of spectacular, offering elaboration of each proposition in the "Monadology" with extensive quotes from Leibniz' other works, as well as his own commentary. This edition is one of the best available ways of becoming acquainted with Leibniz' thought and with the substantive issues involved. Readers who find this book interesting might also enjoy reading Heidegger's commentaries on Leibniz in his book "The Metaphysical Foundations of Logic." Here Heidegger is at his best, offering detailed textual exegesis and a sincere attempt to find the inner logic of Leibiz' thought.

Leibniz was perhaps the seventeenth century's greatest metaphysician. The "Monadology" set out his metaphysical system. Rescher's comprehensive selection of texts sets "The Monadology" in context and Rescher's comments should be of help to the philosophy student.