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    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

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    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Leibniz — Carmelics
    Thinkers/Leibniz
    Leibniz

    Leibniz

    modernRationalism

    1646 – 1716

    Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a German polymath and one of the most important philosophers and mathematicians of the early modern period. He developed a comprehensive rationalist metaphysics centered on his monadology, the principle of sufficient reason, and the thesis that this is the best of all possible worlds. His contributions spanned logic, mathematics, theology, and natural philosophy, making him one of the last great universal thinkers.

    WWikipediaSEPStanford EncyclopediaIEPInternet Encyclopedia

    Notable Achievements

    1

    Developed the Monadology, a metaphysical system positing fundamental simple substances

    2

    Co-invented infinitesimal calculus independently of Newton

    3

    Formulated the principle of sufficient reason and the identity of indiscernibles

    4

    Articulated the theodicy that this is the best of all possible worlds

    5

    Pioneered symbolic logic and the concept of a universal characteristic (characteristica universalis)

    Positions & Arguments(16)

    Natural Theology

    claim

    We can rationally believe both ourselves and God to be mental in nature from a practical point of view.

    Truth & Knowledge

    claim

    We can rationally believe both ourselves and God to be mental in nature from a practical point of view.

    Aesthetics

    premise

    Without independent moral grounding, aesthetic experience's natural tendency to morally good outcomes can be perverted.

    premise

    Pleasurable sentiments are a primary constituent of happiness.

    claim

    Aesthetic experience is of indirect moral value.

    premise

    Art can be put to perverse and immoral use as well as healthy and good use.

    premise

    Works of art make abstract moral precepts effective on our action.

    claim

    Aesthetic experience is of direct moral value.

    premise

    Free and unhindered activity of the representational capacity produces pleasurable sentiments.

    premise

    Aesthetic experience is a variety of free and unhindered activity of the representational capacity.

    premise

    Works of art enliven our abstract knowledge of moral precepts.

    claim

    An independent grasp of and commitment to fundamental moral principles is necessary even given art's natural tendency toward moral good.

    claim

    Sulzer's moral theory is not egocentric.

    Virtue Ethics

    premise

    Without independent moral grounding, aesthetic experience's natural tendency to morally good outcomes can be perverted.

    premise

    Pleasurable sentiments are a primary constituent of happiness.

    premise

    Normal human beings naturally desire for others what they desire for themselves.

    claim

    Aesthetic experience is of indirect moral value.

    Moral Responsibility

    premise

    Normal human beings naturally desire for others what they desire for themselves.

    Rights & Liberty

    premise

    Normal human beings naturally recognize the right of others to that for which they claim a right for themselves.

    Consequentialism

    premise

    The goal of the moral life is happiness, and whatever contributes to happiness is at least prima facie good.

    premise

    Those who desire happiness for themselves naturally desire it for others as well.

    At a Glance

    Ideas

    16

    Topics

    7

    Era

    modern

    Tradition

    Rationalism

    Topic Influence

    Virtue Ethics13
    Aesthetics11
    Consequentialism2
    Truth & Knowledge1
    Rights & Liberty1
    Natural Theology1
    Moral Responsibility1

    Related Thinkers

    Sulzer6 sharedThomas Hobbes6 sharedImmanuel Kant5 sharedDavid Hume5 sharedAristotle5 sharedWolff5 sharedPlato5 shared

    Dive Deeper

    Explore Virtue Ethics→See Aesthetics→
    premise

    Art can be put to perverse and immoral use as well as healthy and good use.

    premise

    Normal human beings naturally recognize the right of others to that for which they claim a right for themselves.

    premise

    Works of art make abstract moral precepts effective on our action.

    claim

    Aesthetic experience is of direct moral value.

    premise

    The goal of the moral life is happiness, and whatever contributes to happiness is at least prima facie good.

    premise

    Works of art enliven our abstract knowledge of moral precepts.

    premise

    Those who desire happiness for themselves naturally desire it for others as well.

    claim

    An independent grasp of and commitment to fundamental moral principles is necessary even given art's natural tendency toward moral good.

    claim

    Sulzer's moral theory is not egocentric.

    René Descartes5 shared