Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Early Life
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was born on July 1, 1646, in Leipzig, German territory at the time. He was the son of Friedrich Leibniz, a professor of moral philosophy at the University of Leipzig. His father died when Leibniz was only six years old, leaving him to the care of his mother, Catharina Schmuck, the daughter of a lawyer.
Leibniz was a precocious child, demonstrating an early interest in learning. He was given access to his father's library, which was extensive for the time and place, and began to teach himself Latin at the age of eight. By twelve, he had taught himself Greek as well. This early exposure to the works of the ancient Greeks and the Latin scholars of the Middle Ages had a profound effect on his intellectual development.
Education
Leibniz began his formal education at the Nicolai School in Leipzig at the age of seven. He later enrolled at the University of Leipzig at the age of fifteen, studying philosophy and law. He completed his bachelor's degree in Philosophy by the age of 17 and his master's degree in Philosophy by the age of 19.
Leibniz sought to broaden his education and, in 1666, applied to the University of Leipzig for the degree of Doctor of Law. However, he was denied the degree because of his age. Undeterred, Leibniz applied to the University of Altdorf, where he was immediately awarded his doctorate in law.
Career
Leibniz's career was as varied as it was illustrious. He served as a diplomat, a lawyer, a librarian, and a philosopher. His diplomatic career began in the service of the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz, where he was tasked with drafting legal and political documents. His work caught the attention of Johann Christian von Boyneburg, one of the most influential men in the court of Mainz, who took Leibniz under his wing.
In 1672, Leibniz was sent to Paris on a diplomatic mission, where he would stay for four years. This period was significant for Leibniz as he was exposed to a wider range of European philosophical ideas. He met with many of the leading intellectuals of the time, including Antoine Arnauld, Christiaan Huygens, and Nicolas Malebranche.
Leibniz's career as a librarian began when he was appointed as the Librarian of the Herzog August Library in Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, in 1691. This position allowed him to pursue his intellectual interests, and it was during this time that he made some of his most significant contributions to philosophy and science.
Contributions to Philosophy
Leibniz is perhaps best known for his contributions to philosophy. He is considered one of the three great 17th-century advocates of rationalism, along with René Descartes and Baruch Spinoza. His philosophy is characterized by an attempt to reconcile, or make compatible, the philosophical systems of his time.
One of Leibniz's most significant philosophical contributions is his theory of monads, as outlined in his work Monadology. According to Leibniz, monads are simple substances that make up the universe. They are not physical entities but mental or spiritual in nature. Each monad is unique and contains within it all the information about the universe from its own perspective.
Leibniz also made significant contributions to the philosophy of mind, notably his theory of pre-established harmony. According to this theory, each mind is like a monad in that it perceives the world from its own unique perspective. However, all minds are coordinated in such a way that they reflect a universal harmony, established by God.
Contributions to Mathematics and Science
Leibniz made significant contributions to mathematics and science. He is credited with developing the modern form of the binary number system, which is fundamental to the operation of modern computers. He also developed the infinitesimal calculus, independently of Sir Isaac Newton. His notation for calculus is widely used in mathematics and physics.
In the field of physics, Leibniz is known for his theory of force, which he called 'dynamism'. He proposed that force, not matter, is the fundamental substance of the universe. This idea was in contrast to the prevailing mechanistic view, which held that the universe is made up of inert matter in motion.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, Leibniz's reputation waned. His ideas were often misunderstood and he was frequently embroiled in intellectual disputes. One of the most famous of these was the Leibniz-Newton calculus controversy, a dispute over who had first invented calculus.
Leibniz died in Hanover on November 14, 1716. His death went largely unnoticed, and he was buried without pomp or ceremony. However, his philosophical and scientific ideas continued to influence thinkers long after his death.
Legacy
Leibniz's legacy is vast and enduring. His work in philosophy, mathematics, and science has had a profound impact on subsequent intellectual history. His ideas have influenced a wide range of fields, including logic, metaphysics, theology, law, history, and computer science.
In philosophy, Leibniz's work has been a major influence on a wide range of thinkers, from the German idealists, such as Immanuel Kant and Gottlob Frege, to contemporary philosophers, such as Daniel Dennett and Nicholas Rescher.
In mathematics and science, Leibniz's contributions to calculus and the binary number system have had a lasting impact. His work continues to be studied and applied in these fields today.