Leibniz on bodies and infinities: rerum natura and mathematical fictions

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Katz, M.G.; Kuhlemann, K.; Sherry, D.; Ugaglia, M.: Leibniz on bodies and infinities: rerum natura and mathematical fictions. In: Review of Symbolic Logic, The 17 (2024), Nr. 1, 36-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s1755020321000575

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Sum total of downloads: 33




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Abstract: 
The way Leibniz applied his philosophy to mathematics has been the subject of longstanding debates. A key piece of evidence is his letter to Masson on bodies. We offer an interpretation of this often misunderstood text, dealing with the status of infinite divisibility in nature, rather than in mathematics. In line with this distinction, we offer a reading of the fictionality of infinitesimals. The letter has been claimed to support a reading of infinitesimals according to which they are logical fictions, contradictory in their definition, and thus absolutely impossible. The advocates of such a reading have lumped infinitesimals with infinite wholes, which are rejected by Leibniz as contradicting the partwhole principle. Far from supporting this reading, the letter is arguably consistent with the view that infinitesimals, as inassignable quantities, are mentis fictiones, i.e., (well-founded) fictions usable in mathematics, but possibly contrary to the Leibnizian principle of the harmony of things and not necessarily idealizing anything in rerum natura. Unlike infinite wholes, infinitesimals - as well as imaginary roots and other well-founded fictions - may involve accidental (as opposed to absolute) impossibilities, in accordance with the Leibnizian theories of knowledge and modality.
License of this version: CC BY 4.0 Unported
Document Type: Article
Publishing status: publishedVersion
Issue Date: 2021
Appears in Collections:Fakultät für Mathematik und Physik

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pos. country downloads
total perc.
1 image of flag of Germany Germany 18 54.55%
2 image of flag of United States United States 4 12.12%
3 image of flag of Indonesia Indonesia 2 6.06%
4 image of flag of France France 2 6.06%
5 image of flag of Canada Canada 2 6.06%
6 image of flag of Belize Belize 2 6.06%
7 image of flag of Ukraine Ukraine 1 3.03%
8 image of flag of Denmark Denmark 1 3.03%
9 image of flag of Argentina Argentina 1 3.03%

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