Leibniz on the existence of atoms
ABSTRACT In this paper I present and evaluate Leibniz’s two main arguments against the existence of atoms. In this context atoms are extended particles that are absolutely hard, homogeneous, indivisible, and indestructible by natural means. As we shall see, Leibniz’s arguments are flawed in a very i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade Estadual de Campinas
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| Series: | Manuscrito |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-60452017000200019&lng=en&tlng=en |
| _version_ | 1819102915517743104 |
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| author | Ricardo Mena |
| author_facet | Ricardo Mena |
| author_sort | Ricardo Mena |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT In this paper I present and evaluate Leibniz’s two main arguments against the existence of atoms. In this context atoms are extended particles that are absolutely hard, homogeneous, indivisible, and indestructible by natural means. As we shall see, Leibniz’s arguments are flawed in a very instructive way. The first argument is in tension with the claim that God created the best possible world. The second argument overgeneralizes in an undesirable way. However, as I shall discuss in the last section of the paper, even if the arguments are somehow defective, at least the first one contributes valuable insights to contemporary metaphysics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:42:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9460def8a1f64570b68aa9d5ba9d9bfc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2317-630X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T01:42:09Z |
| publisher | Universidade Estadual de Campinas |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Manuscrito |
| spelling | doaj.art-9460def8a1f64570b68aa9d5ba9d9bfc2022-12-21T18:43:11ZengUniversidade Estadual de CampinasManuscrito2317-630X402193810.1590/0100-6045.2017.v40n2.rmS0100-60452017000200019Leibniz on the existence of atomsRicardo MenaABSTRACT In this paper I present and evaluate Leibniz’s two main arguments against the existence of atoms. In this context atoms are extended particles that are absolutely hard, homogeneous, indivisible, and indestructible by natural means. As we shall see, Leibniz’s arguments are flawed in a very instructive way. The first argument is in tension with the claim that God created the best possible world. The second argument overgeneralizes in an undesirable way. However, as I shall discuss in the last section of the paper, even if the arguments are somehow defective, at least the first one contributes valuable insights to contemporary metaphysics.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-60452017000200019&lng=en&tlng=enLeibnizHistory of PhilosophyMetaphysics |
| spellingShingle | Ricardo Mena Leibniz on the existence of atoms Manuscrito Leibniz History of Philosophy Metaphysics |
| title | Leibniz on the existence of atoms |
| title_full | Leibniz on the existence of atoms |
| title_fullStr | Leibniz on the existence of atoms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leibniz on the existence of atoms |
| title_short | Leibniz on the existence of atoms |
| title_sort | leibniz on the existence of atoms |
| topic | Leibniz History of Philosophy Metaphysics |
| url | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-60452017000200019&lng=en&tlng=en |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ricardomena leibnizontheexistenceofatoms |