Difference between revisions of "Gottfried Leibniz"
m (Reverted edits by LysergicA (Talk); changed back to last version by Jeremiah4-22) |
|||
| (33 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | [[Image:Leibniz.jpg|thumb|right|Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz]] | + | [[Image:Leibniz.jpg|thumb|right|Gottfried Leibniz]] |
| + | '''Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz''' (1646-1716) was a [[Christian]] [[German]] [[Polymath|polymath]] famous for his contributions to [[mathematics]] and [[philosophy]]. He was a major intellectual force in the 17th and 18th centuries, and is known as the last "universal genius". | ||
| − | + | In mathematics his greatest achievement was his independent discovery of differential and integral [[calculus]], also simultaneously invented by [[Isaac Newton]]. Modern calculus follows the notations and conventions of Leibniz, not Newton. | |
| − | In philosophy, Leibniz disagreed with Descartes' "I think | + | In philosophy, Leibniz disagreed with [[Descartes]]' "I think therefore I am" and he instead thought that neither form alone (the mind) or matter alone (the body) could explain the existence of an individual. Instead, Leibniz created a philosophy known as "monadology", which holds that [[soul]]s are all there are in the [[universe]]. Even a table, according to Leibniz, is nothing other than a collection of "windowless monads" which cannot interact. |
| − | In physics, Leibniz proposed the use of "dynamics" or kinetic energy to explain motion, rather than "mechanics" that is based on Cartesian coordinates. Leibniz held the view that light always travelled the path of least resistance. | + | In [[physics]], Leibniz proposed the use of "dynamics" or [[kinetic energy]] to explain motion, rather than "mechanics" that is based on [[Cartesian coordinates]]. Leibniz held the view that [[light]] always travelled the path of least resistance. |
| − | Leibniz was a Lutheran who dreamed of reuniting it with the Roman Catholic Church, and also of reconciling modern thinkers like [[Hobbes]] and [[Descartes]] with the [[Aristotle]] of the | + | Leibniz was a [[Lutheran]] who dreamed of reuniting the Lutheran faith it with the [[Roman Catholic Church]], and also of reconciling modern thinkers like [[Hobbes]] and [[Descartes]] with the [[Aristotle]] of the Scholastics, or even the earlier [[Greeks|Greek]] philosopher [[Aristotle]]. |
| − | An ugly dispute developed between Newton and Leibniz over who discovered calculus first. Most | + | An ugly dispute developed between Newton and Leibniz over who discovered calculus first. Most British historians gave the credit to Newton, while the continental historians credited Leibniz. Both deserve credit: while Newton was the superior mathematician, Leibniz provided the more intuitive notation. |
| − | [[ | + | Between 18 - 21 November 1676, Leibniz met personally with [[Benedict de Spinoza]] discussing various philosophical topics, including the ontological argument for the existence of God. <ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz/</ref> |
| + | |||
| + | == See also == | ||
| + | *[[Philosophy]] | ||
| + | ==Bibliography== | ||
| + | * Ball, W. W. Rouse. "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646 - 1716)," in Ball, ''A Short Account of the History of Mathematics'' (4th edition, 1908) [http://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/HistMath/People/Leibniz/RouseBall/RB_Leibnitz.html online edition] | ||
| + | * Broad, C. D. ''Leibniz: An Introduction.'' Cambridge University Press, 1975. | ||
| + | * Brown, Stuart. ''Leibniz.'' University of Minnesota Press, 1984. | ||
| + | * Jolley, Nicholas, ed. ''The Cambridge Companion to Leibniz.'' Cambridge University Press. 1995. | ||
| + | * Jolley, Nicholas. ''Leibniz.'' Routledge, 2005. | ||
| + | * Look, Brandon C. "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz" in ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' (2007) [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/leibniz/ online edition] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references> | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Leibniz, Gottfried}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Mathematicians]] | ||
| + | [[Category:German Philosophers]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Theologians]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Lutherans]] | ||
| + | [[Category:German People]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Christians]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Academics]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Philosophers]] | ||
Revision as of 03:09, July 2, 2014
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646-1716) was a Christian German polymath famous for his contributions to mathematics and philosophy. He was a major intellectual force in the 17th and 18th centuries, and is known as the last "universal genius".
In mathematics his greatest achievement was his independent discovery of differential and integral calculus, also simultaneously invented by Isaac Newton. Modern calculus follows the notations and conventions of Leibniz, not Newton.
In philosophy, Leibniz disagreed with Descartes' "I think therefore I am" and he instead thought that neither form alone (the mind) or matter alone (the body) could explain the existence of an individual. Instead, Leibniz created a philosophy known as "monadology", which holds that souls are all there are in the universe. Even a table, according to Leibniz, is nothing other than a collection of "windowless monads" which cannot interact.
In physics, Leibniz proposed the use of "dynamics" or kinetic energy to explain motion, rather than "mechanics" that is based on Cartesian coordinates. Leibniz held the view that light always travelled the path of least resistance.
Leibniz was a Lutheran who dreamed of reuniting the Lutheran faith it with the Roman Catholic Church, and also of reconciling modern thinkers like Hobbes and Descartes with the Aristotle of the Scholastics, or even the earlier Greek philosopher Aristotle.
An ugly dispute developed between Newton and Leibniz over who discovered calculus first. Most British historians gave the credit to Newton, while the continental historians credited Leibniz. Both deserve credit: while Newton was the superior mathematician, Leibniz provided the more intuitive notation.
Between 18 - 21 November 1676, Leibniz met personally with Benedict de Spinoza discussing various philosophical topics, including the ontological argument for the existence of God. [1]
See also
Bibliography
- Ball, W. W. Rouse. "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646 - 1716)," in Ball, A Short Account of the History of Mathematics (4th edition, 1908) online edition
- Broad, C. D. Leibniz: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 1975.
- Brown, Stuart. Leibniz. University of Minnesota Press, 1984.
- Jolley, Nicholas, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Leibniz. Cambridge University Press. 1995.
- Jolley, Nicholas. Leibniz. Routledge, 2005.
- Look, Brandon C. "Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz" in Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2007) online edition
