Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-211) and indexes.
Contents:
Introduction: what does infinity have to do with life? -- Introducing the main characters: a conceptual outline of Leibniz's approach to infinity -- Leibniz in Paris: between infinite number and infinite being -- Leibniz reads Spinoza: different senses and different degrees of infinity -- Infinity and unity: mathematics and metaphysics -- Infinity and life: a sketch of Leibniz's development -- Animate and inanimate things, natural and artificial machines -- Living mirrors and mites: Leibniz and Pascal -- Created beings as infinite and limited -- Monads at the bottom, monads at the top, monads all over -- Life and force -- Conclusion: the re-enchantment of nature.
Summary:
"This work presents Leibniz's view of infinity and the central role it plays in his theory of living beings. Chapter 1 introduces Leibniz's approach to infinity by presenting the central concepts he employs; chapter 2 presents the historical background through Leibniz's encounters with Galileo and Descartes, exposing a tension between the notions of an infinite number and of an infinite being; chapter 3 argues that Leibniz's solution to this tension, developed through his encounter with Spinoza (circa 1676), consists of distinguishing between a quantitative and a non-quantitative use of infinity, and an intermediate degree of infinity - a maximum in its kind, which sheds light on Leibniz's use of infinity as a defining mark of living beings; chapter 4 examines the connection between infinity and unity; chapter 5 presents the development of Leibniz's views on infinity and life; chapter 6 explores Leibniz's distinction between artificial and natural machines; chapter 7 focuses on Leibniz's image of a living mirror, contrasting it with Pascal's image of a mite; chapter 8 argues that Leibniz understands creatures as infinite and limited, or as infinite in their own kind, in distinction from the absolute infinity of God; chapter 9 argues that Leibniz's concept of a monad holds at every level of reality; chapter 10 compares Leibniz's use of life and primitive force. The conclusion presents Leibniz's program of infusing life into every aspect of nature as an attempt to re-enchant a view of nature left disenchanted by Descartes and Spinoza"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.