Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Content:
I. The System of Leibniz
a. The argument for the doctrine that the universe consists of immaterial monads
b. The doctrine of the classes of monads and their nature: —
1. The supreme monad, God
2. The finite monads
(a) The characters common to all finite monads: —
1. Every monad depends on God
2. Every monad is active
3. Every monad is absolutely separate from every other
4. Every monad is a unity of its own states
5. Every monad mirrors or expresses all reality
6. Every monad has been predetermined by God to be in harmony with every other
(b) The classes of finite monads: —
1. The rational monads: conscious moral selves
2. The sentient monads : irrational souls
3. The simple monads
II. Critical Estimate of the System of Leibniz
a. Estimate of the doctrine concerning the nature of reality: —
Leibniz’s doctrine of reality as immaterial is sound, but is not adequately supported
Leibniz’s doctrine of the ultimate multiplicity of reality is without sufficient basis
b. Estimate of the doctrine concerning God: —
Of Leibniz’s arguments for the existence of God,
The ontological argument wrongly infers actual necessary existence from possible necessary existence. 100
The causal argument does not reconcile the teaching
that God is outside the series of the finite with the
teaching that God is ‘sufficient reason’ of the finite
Leibniz’s attempt to reconcile God’s goodness with the existence of evil is unsuccessful
c. Estimate of the doctrine of the finite monads: —
Those characters of the finite monads which demand the existence of God are unproved
The activity, internal unity, harmoniousness, and relative isolation of the finite monads are satisfactorily argued
#Philosophy
Content:
I. The System of Leibniz
a. The argument for the doctrine that the universe consists of immaterial monads
b. The doctrine of the classes of monads and their nature: —
1. The supreme monad, God
2. The finite monads
(a) The characters common to all finite monads: —
1. Every monad depends on God
2. Every monad is active
3. Every monad is absolutely separate from every other
4. Every monad is a unity of its own states
5. Every monad mirrors or expresses all reality
6. Every monad has been predetermined by God to be in harmony with every other
(b) The classes of finite monads: —
1. The rational monads: conscious moral selves
2. The sentient monads : irrational souls
3. The simple monads
II. Critical Estimate of the System of Leibniz
a. Estimate of the doctrine concerning the nature of reality: —
Leibniz’s doctrine of reality as immaterial is sound, but is not adequately supported
Leibniz’s doctrine of the ultimate multiplicity of reality is without sufficient basis
b. Estimate of the doctrine concerning God: —
Of Leibniz’s arguments for the existence of God,
The ontological argument wrongly infers actual necessary existence from possible necessary existence. 100
The causal argument does not reconcile the teaching
that God is outside the series of the finite with the
teaching that God is ‘sufficient reason’ of the finite
Leibniz’s attempt to reconcile God’s goodness with the existence of evil is unsuccessful
c. Estimate of the doctrine of the finite monads: —
Those characters of the finite monads which demand the existence of God are unproved
The activity, internal unity, harmoniousness, and relative isolation of the finite monads are satisfactorily argued
#Philosophy
