Leibniz and the "Principle of Existence"
Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to examine that problem which Leibniz posed as the principal one of his philosophy: Why is there something rather than nothing? Underlying the proposal of this question are all those factors which in- duced him to develop his system of thought, and its solution, when seen in the light of Leibniz' personal experience and intellectual development, should give rise to a deeper under- standing and greater appreciation of his philosophy as a unified and coherent whole. For Leibniz was no detached philosopher of what might now be considered to be the classic German type, remote from life and safely immured in an academic ivory tower. Neither was he content to reflect on the abstract themes of an outmoded metaphysics. He lived and thought in an age of crisis. Contemporary events were reflected in his philosophy; yet his ideas have survived the passage of time. They have much more than a mere historical interest. It will be proper then, first, to devote some attention to the contemporary scene in order to indicate the forces at work and to depict the political and social background in so far as it stimulated Leibniz to make his philosophical commitment.
Subject Area
Philosophy|Metaphysics|Epistemology
Recommended Citation
Northover, Wallace E, "Leibniz and the "Principle of Existence"" (1959). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28623533.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28623533
