G. W. Leibniz's Monadology : An Edition for Students

Leibniz' Monadology is both an important and difficult philosophical work. It is generally viewed as a fair representation of Leibniz's mature philosophical views; however, when looked at in isolation its terse style can make it almost impenetrable to those unfamiliar with the author.Rescher's Student Version is outstanding resource. Although it has limited original scholarship Rescher augments the Monadology on a point-by-point basis with excerpts from Leibniz' other works and letters, as well as his own helpful insights. From a physical perspective, the text is well laid-out and constructed.Overall, I highly recommend Rescher's Monadology for students of modern philosophy or anyone interested in gaining greater insight into the work of Leibniz. It is the best text on the Monadology that I have come across.

Absolutely essential for anyone trying to negotiate the Monadology. This is not just for students. It's a book that saves us years of hunting down passages of relevance throughout Leibniz's oeuvre. Rescher's own commentary is useful in places, not so much in others, but that's probably to be expected. The Monadology is a mysterious work.

Leibniz was one of the most amazing polymaths of the European Renaissance. An expert in Law, Philosophy, History, Geology, Mathematics and Natural Science (Leibniz co-invented the calculus with Newton) he is rightly said to be one of the last 'universal geniuses' in Europe.Not many know the great mathematician was also a great Philosopher, much like Descartes before him. Perhaps he is better known to many through Voltaire's satirical novel 'Candide', which ridicules a philosopher much like Leibniz who remains optimistic despite experiencing the worst series of disasters which could befall a man.Leibniz was a rationalist, in the sense he believed the mind could gain access to transempirical truths through reason alone, above and beyond sense experience. He also set up a metaphysical schema of the universe which included God and entities called 'monads.' Monads are idealistic centers of awareness, varying in their capacity for growth. God is the creator of monads and also of the universe, though our universe is the best out of all possible universes God chose to make, a view which led to Voltaire crudely attacking him in satire. In some ways this view is somewhat like that of Origen and Evagrius of Pontus, who believed that God created various beings who fell from their contemplation of the logos and in doing so created our visible world.This edition includes valuble study notes and commentary on the text, and references to additional sources.

This important book by Rescher translates and discusses the spiritual atoms (or monads) that were developed in the 17th century by Gottfried Leibniz. The monads are part of the thoughts that Leibniz was having on the least action principle, his famous infinitesimal calculus, his theory of minute perceptions, and his universal characteristics for science.Leibniz expected to use his indivisible monads to challenge the divisible and physical atoms proposed by England's John Locke for Newton's mechanical universe. But, Locke died before the debate could take place. Leibniz eventually debated with Newton through Samuel Clarke in 1715-16. But Leibniz died in 1716 and the monads died with his death. Today, the monads are being offered as alternatives to the chemical atoms found in the Periodic Chart of chemistry books and the string theories being developed in the school of physics. The indivisible monads of Leibniz are being considered because the chemical atoms and strings are divisible objects and are thus not atoms.Since the monads are indivisible, Leibniz can be connected to Nicholas of Cusa and Georg Cantor, who worked with indivisibles. Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo also worked with Cusa's indivisibles. I am writing a book on the unification of science and theology and will include Leibniz's monads in a new creation theory. Rescher's book is necessary reading for all godly scientists who reject the Big Bang theory, evolutionary theory, and string theories.

Leibniz remains surprisingly contemporary. Perhaps that is because thorough reasoning does not diminish in value over time. This book is a classic. It provides a concise summary of his metaphysics. Several things trouble me about his system, however...1) If Monads have no extension and there is no vacuum how does space arise? I have trouble conceiving a plenum composed of Monads as Leibniz describes them.2) How does efficient cause operate upon Monads if they are "windowless?"3) If qualities are intrisic to Monads, how does a quantitative change engender a qualitative change (i.e. boiling water)?Maybe another reviewer who understands Leibniz better than I do can answer my questions.

What distinguishes this edition of the Monadology from all others is the extra material included by Rescher. Rescher has collected material from Leibniz's other writings which shed great light on the concepts in the Monadology. In addition, he had included his own commentary on each of the 90 sections.If you read the bare Monadology, you will probably be confused since it is too brief. If you read this edition, you are actually reading Leibniz's own commentary on the Monadology, and your understanding will be greatly enhanced.

Have not read the book year but it is highly recommended