Overview
- Far-reaching examination of one of the central topics in early modern philosophy of science and natural philosophy
- Places Leibniz’s views within the context of the history of the philosophy of space and time
- Shows how Leibniz’s philosophy of space and time continues to exert an important influence on ongoing debates in the philosophy of science
- Explains the metaphysical commitments that underwrite Leibniz’s approach to the nature of space and time
Part of the book series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science (BSPS, volume 258)
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Table of contents (8 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
Leibniz’s metaphysics of space and time stands at the centre of his philosophy and is one of the high-water marks in the history of the philosophy of science. In this work, Futch provides the first systematic and comprehensive examination of Leibniz’s thought on this subject. In addition to elucidating the nature of Leibniz’s relationalism, the book fills a lacuna in existing scholarship by examining his views on the topological structure of space and time, including the unity and unboundedness of space and time. It is shown that, like many of his more recent counterparts, Leibniz adopts a causal theory of time where temporal facts are grounded on causal facts, and that his approach to time represents a precursor to non-tensed theories of time. Futch then goes on to situate Leibniz’s philosophy of space and time within the broader context of his idealistic metaphysics and natural theology. Emphasizing the historical background of Leibniz’s thought, the book also places him in dialogue with contemporary philosophy of science, underscoring the enduring philosophical interest of Leibniz’s metaphysics of time and space.
Reviews
From the reviews:
“Michael Futch’s new book on Leibniz’ philosophy of space and time is a welcome addition to the growing literature on this important series of topics in Early Modern natural philosophy. … the arguments and discussions that comprise the book are excellent, with a host of interesting lines of development concerning Leibniz’s system from which the reader can draw fruitful reflection. … On the whole, Early Modern community is well served by Futch’s impressive work, and it will serve as a basis for much future discussion.” (Edward Slowik, Metascience, Vol. 19 (3), November, 2010)Authors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Leibniz’s Metaphysics of Time and Space
Authors: Michael J. Futch
Series Title: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8237-5
Publisher: Springer Dordrecht
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-8236-8Published: 28 April 2008
Softcover ISBN: 978-94-007-8943-2Published: 02 November 2014
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-8237-5Published: 05 April 2008
Series ISSN: 0068-0346
Series E-ISSN: 2214-7942
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 205
Topics: Philosophy of Science, History of Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, History of Science, Metaphysics