Chronology Entry
Year
1715
Text
In November 1715, Leibniz read Malebranche's Conversation, underlined passages and made a number of marginal notations.
Speaking more directly to the Chinese aspect of the Conversation, Leibniz is quite excited over the possibility that the Chinese do view ii, or what he called "the principle of order," in the way that Malebranche claims.84 Furthermore, he feels that the method which Malebranche uses in the Conversation for leading the Chinese to the idea of infinity is very good one. On the other hand, it is clear that Leibniz is not moved to an in-depth response to the points that Malebranche makes. On the contrary, Leibniz seems so dissatisfied with Malebranche's presentation that he was stimulated by him to try to improve on Malebranche's work. This is apparent in his letter to Remond of January 17, 1716 in which Leibniz notes that since Malebranche's Conversation does not sufficiently suit the characters of the Chinese and Christian philosophers, he has been led to compose a "complete discourse on their theology, dealing with God, spirits and the soul."
Speaking more directly to the Chinese aspect of the Conversation, Leibniz is quite excited over the possibility that the Chinese do view ii, or what he called "the principle of order," in the way that Malebranche claims.84 Furthermore, he feels that the method which Malebranche uses in the Conversation for leading the Chinese to the idea of infinity is very good one. On the other hand, it is clear that Leibniz is not moved to an in-depth response to the points that Malebranche makes. On the contrary, Leibniz seems so dissatisfied with Malebranche's presentation that he was stimulated by him to try to improve on Malebranche's work. This is apparent in his letter to Remond of January 17, 1716 in which Leibniz notes that since Malebranche's Conversation does not sufficiently suit the characters of the Chinese and Christian philosophers, he has been led to compose a "complete discourse on their theology, dealing with God, spirits and the soul."
Mentioned People (1)
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm
(Leipzig 1646-1716 Hannover) : Universalgelehrter, Philosoph, Kenntnisse der Mathematik, Jurisprudenz, Geschichte, Geologie, Physik, Technik
Subjects
Philosophy : Europe : Germany
Documents (1)
| # | Year | Bibliographical Data | Type / Abbreviation | Linked Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1980 | Mungello, David E. Malebranche and Chinese philosophy. In : Journal of the history of ideas ; vol. 41, no 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1980). | Publication / MalN2 |
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