Abstract
Leibniz also considered the problems of Cartesian dualism. His New System was partially inspired by Foucher’s objections to Cartesianism, and can be seen as providing a way to avoid Cartesian difficulties. Hence, we shall now present an interpretation of Leibniz’s New System, with emphasis on his concern with first principles, certain knowledge, and the external world. This will be done in the context of Foucher’s criticisms of Leibniz. The chapter concludes with an examination of Leibniz’s system in its role of solving Cartesian problems.
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Reference
„Briefwechsel zwischen Leibniz und Foucher“ in: Die Philosophischen Schriften von Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz,Herausgegeben von C. J. Gerhardt, (Berlin: Weidmaunsche, 1875), I, 363–427.
See Chapter II, p. 15, n. 4.1 Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm Nouveaux essais sur l’entendement par l’auteur du Système de l’harmonie preestablie in Schriftened. Gerhardt, V, 355.
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Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, “De Modo Distinguendi Phaenomena Realia ab Imaginariis” in Schriften,ed. Gerhardt, VII, 319–322. Quotations are from the English translation: “On the Method of Distinguishing Real from Imaginary Phenomena” in Philosophical Papers and Letters,Translated by Leroy E. Loemker, 2 volumes with continuous pagination (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, x956), 604.
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Letter of Leibniz to Foucher (1686), Ibid.,381.
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, “Eclaircissement du nouveau Systeme de la communication des substances, pour servir de reponse à ce qui en a été dit dans le journal du 12 sept. 1695,” Journal des sçavans (Amsterdam) XXIV (2 and 9 avril 1696), 255.
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Letter of Foucher to Leibniz (Paris, 3o mai 1691), ibid.,399.
Letter of Foucher to Leibniz (Paris, 31 decembre 1691), ibid.,401.
Letter of Leibniz to Foucher (janvier 1692), ibid.,402.
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Letter of Foucher to Leibniz (Paris, mars 1693), ibid.,412–413.
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Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, “De Modo Distinguendi Phaenomena Realia ab Imaginariis” in Gerhardt, op. cit.,VII, 319–322. Quotations are from the English translation: “On the Method of Distinguishing Real from Imaginary Phenomena,” (Date unknown), Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 602–607.
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, “De Ipsi Natura, sive de Vi Imita, Actionibusque Creaturarum; pro Dynamicus suis confirmandis illustrandisque,” Acta eruditorum Lipsiensum (septembre, 1698), 427–440. Quotations are from the English translation: “On Nature Itself, or on the Inherent Force and Actions of Created Things to Serve to Confirm and Illustrate the Author’s Dynamics,” Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 808–824.
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“On the Method,” Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 607.
“On Nature Itself,” Philosophical Papersed. Loemker, 817.
The universe is a plenum. “First Truths,” Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 415. 4 “On Nature Itself,” Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 818–819.
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, “Excerpta ex notis meis inauguralibus ad Fucherii responsionem in Malebranchium critica”, Appendice VI in Rabbe, Felix, Étude philosophique, L’Abbé Simon Foucher chanoine de la Sainte Chapelle de Dion (Paris: Didier, 1867), XLI. Some of these notes are translated: “Notes on the Reply of Foucher to the Criticism of his Criticism of the Recherche de la venté” (1676) in Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 241. Loemker’s translation of the quoted passage is: “An idea is that by which one perception of thought differs from another with respect to its object.”
Leibniz Gottfried, Wilhelm, “Quid sit Idea” in Schriften,ed. Gerhardt, VII, 263264. Quotations are from the English translation: “What is an Idea?,” (1678), Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 317.
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“On Nature Itself,” Philosophical Papers,ed. Loemker, 817: “Sistéme nouveau,” Oeuvres,ed. Janet, I, 643.
Popkin, Richard H., The History of Scepticism from Erasmus to Descartes (Assen: Van Gorcum, 1960; revised edition, 1964), 93–94.
Letter of Leibniz to Foucher (1687), Schriften,ed Gerhardt, I, 393.
Letter of Foucher to Leibniz (Paris: 28 avril 1695), ibid.,423.
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Watson, R.A. (1966). Leibniz and Foucher. In: The Downfall of Cartesianism 1673–1712. Archives Internationales D’Histoire des Idees / International Archives of the History of Ideas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7557-7_8
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