Leibniz
Early Life and Education
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was born on July 1, 1646, in Leipzig, Germany, to Friedrich Leibniz, a professor of moral philosophy at the University of Leipzig, and Catharina Schmuck, the daughter of a lawyer. His father died when Leibniz was only six years old, leaving him to be raised by his mother. Despite the loss, Leibniz's early education was comprehensive, as he had access to his father's extensive library where he developed a deep interest in philosophy and theology.
Leibniz entered the University of Leipzig in 1661, at the age of 15, where he studied philosophy and law. He completed his bachelor's degree in Philosophy by 1663 and his bachelor's degree in Law by 1664. In 1666, Leibniz submitted his habilitation thesis, "De conditionibus" (On Conditions), to the faculty of Law at the University of Leipzig. However, the faculty declined to award him a doctorate in Law, prompting Leibniz to leave Leipzig for the University of Altdorf, where he earned his doctorate in Law in the same year.
Career and Contributions
Leibniz's career spanned various fields, including philosophy, mathematics, law, history, and diplomacy. He is most renowned for his work in philosophy and mathematics.
Philosophy
Leibniz's philosophical ideas are characterized by his commitment to a rationalist theory of knowledge and a metaphysical theory of monads. His philosophical writings, most of which were published posthumously, include "Discourse on Metaphysics" (1686), "New Essays on Human Understanding" (1704), and "The Monadology" (1714).
Leibniz's theory of monads, as articulated in "The Monadology", posits that the universe is composed of simple, indivisible, and immaterial entities. Each monad is a unique, self-contained unit that reflects the entire universe from its perspective. Leibniz's monadology is a response to the mechanistic worldview of his time, offering a metaphysical framework that accommodates both the physical and the mental aspects of reality.
In epistemology, Leibniz is known for his theory of pre-established harmony, which posits that all monads independently follow a pre-determined course of development that is perfectly coordinated with the development of all other monads. This theory is an attempt to reconcile human freedom with the deterministic laws of nature.
Mathematics
In mathematics, Leibniz is co-credited with Sir Isaac Newton for the development of calculus, although the two developed their ideas independently. Leibniz's notation for calculus, which uses "d" for differentials and integral signs for integrals, is still used today.
Leibniz also made significant contributions to the field of formal logic, including the development of a universal calculus of reasoning, which he believed could be used to resolve all disputes. While his dream of a universal calculus was not realized during his lifetime, his work laid the groundwork for the development of modern symbolic and mathematical logic.
Later Life and Legacy
Leibniz spent the latter part of his life in the service of the House of Brunswick, where he worked on various diplomatic, historical, and philosophical projects. Despite his significant contributions to philosophy and mathematics, Leibniz's work was not fully recognized during his lifetime. He died on November 14, 1716, in Hanover, Germany.
Today, Leibniz is considered one of the great thinkers of the 17th and 18th centuries, alongside figures like René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Isaac Newton. His philosophical and mathematical ideas continue to influence contemporary thought in these fields.