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[[Image:Leibniz.jpg|thumb|right|Gottfried 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".  

'''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 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 [[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 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]].

 

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. 

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>

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>

Leibniz was a [[Lutheran]] who dreamed of reuniting the Lutheran faith with the [[Roman Catholic Church]], and also of reconciling modern thinkers like [[Hobbes]] and [[Descartes]] with the [[Scholasticism|Scholastics]], or even with the earlier [[Greeks|Greek]] philosopher [[Aristotle]].

== See also ==

== See also ==