The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence: Together Wiith Extracts from Newton's Principia and OpticksIn 1715 Leibniz wrote to his friend the Princess of Wales to warn her of the dangers Newton's philosophy posed for natural religion. Seizing this chance of initiating an exchange between two of the greatest minds in Europe, the princess showed his letter to the eminent Newtonian scientist and natural theologian, Samuel Clarke. From his reply developed an exchange of papers which was published in 1717. The correspondence was immediately seen as a crucial discussion of the significance of the new science, and it became one of the most widely read philosophical works of its time. Kant developed his theory of space and time from the problems at issue, and the post-Newtonian physics of the twentieth century has brought a revival of interest in Leibniz's objections: some of the problems are still not finally resolved. In this edition an introduction outlines the historical background, and there is a valuable survey of the subsequent discussions of the problem of space and time in the philosophy of science. Significant references to the controversy in Leibniz's other correspondence have also been collected, and the relevant passages from Newton's Principia and Opticks are appended. |
Contents
PREFACE | vii |
THE ARGUMENT OF THE CORRESPONDENCE | xiii |
THE PROBLEM OF SPACE AND TIME | xxxii |
LIST OF PREVIOUS EDITIONS | lv |
II | 48 |
25 | 62 |
45 | 68 |
Clarkes fifth reply | 97 |
EXTRACTS FROM NEWTONS PRINCIPIA | 135 |
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS RELATING | 184 |
199 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
absolute motion absolute space acceleration according action admit aether answer Appendix argument atoms C. J. Gerhardt cause centrifugal force Clarke Clarke's comets concept consequence contradiction contrary Correspondence created distance earth edition Einstein equal eternal existence experiments explained finite fixed stars frame of reference geometry God's gravity hypotheses identity of indiscernibles impulsive force indiscernible inertial frame infinite space Kant Klopp XI laws Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence letter mass material universe mathematical mechanical metaphysical mind miracle motive necessity Newtonian physics objects observed occult quality opinion Opticks orbit Paragraph particles passage perceive perfect phenomena philosophy planets Princess of Wales Principia principle proportion quantity of matter quantity of motion Query 31 relation relative motion reply resistance rest Scholium sense sensorium sidereal day Sir Isaac Newton soul substance sufficient reason suppose Theodicy theory of space things tion vacuum velocity whole universe