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'''Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz''' (1646-1716) was a 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 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 philosophy, Leibniz disagreed with [[Descartes]]' "I think therefore I am" and instead Leibniz 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 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.