In the present book, Pauline Phemister argues against traditional Anglo-American interpretations of Leibniz as an idealist who conceives ultimate reality as a plurality of mind-like immaterial beings and for whom physical bodies are ultimately unreal and our perceptions of them illusory. Re-reading the texts without the prior assumption of idealism allows the more material aspects of Leibnizs metaphysics to emerge. Leibniz is found to advance a synthesis of idealism and materialism. His ontology posits indivisible, living, animal-like corporeal substances as the real metaphysical constituents of the universe; his epistemology combines sense-experience and reason; and his ethics fuses confused perceptions and insensible appetites with distinct perceptions and rational choice. In the light of his sustained commitment to the reality of bodies, Phemister re-examines his dynamics, the doctrine of pre-established harmony and his views on freedom.
The image of Leibniz as a rationalist philosopher who values activity and reason over passivity and sense-experience is replaced by the one of a philosopher who recognises that, in the created world, there can only be activity if there is also passivity; minds, souls and forms if there is also matter; good if there is evil; perfection if there is imperfection.
Preface. Abbreviations. Introduction. 1. Substances: Public and Private. The public monad. Monads and Cartesian minds: the French connection. Disagreement with Descartes. First entelechies. 2. Primary Matter. Substantial form and primary matter. Complete and incomplete substances. Completion of the active and the passive. Naturally necessary extension. 3. Extension. Continuity. Plurality and discrete repetition. Co-existence. Completion of the entelechy. Complete corporeal substances. 4. The Composition of Bodies. Aggregates of substances. Metaphors and similes. The Fardella Notes. Parts and wholes. 5. The Composition of the Continuum. The real versus the ideal. The Cartesian continuum and alternatives. Reality and ideality of corporeal substances. 6. Perceptions and Perceivers. Perceptions and perceivers. Perceptual multiplicity. Independence and solipsism. 7. Phenomenal Bodies. Spiritual phenomenalism. Monadological phenomenalism. Corporeal substance phenomenalism. Real Phenomena. Rainbows. First and third person perspectives. 8. Derivative Forces. Derivative active force. Modifications. Derivative passive force. Pre-established Harmony. Derivative forces and perceptions. Harmony of mind and body. Alleged priority of internal modifications. Multiple harmonies. Final and efficient causes. Nature and grace. 9. Freedom. The perfection of the world. Evil. Passivity and freedom. Appetition. Body. Moral evil. Bibliography. Index of Names. Index of Subjects.