Leibnizs Theory of Space in the Correspondence with Clarke and the Existence of Vacuums (1) :: Space Philosophy Philosophical Papers

Leibnizs Theory of Space in the Correspondence with Clarke and the Existence of Vacuums (1) overcharge It is well known that a central issue in the famed consider between Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Samuel Clarke is the nature of blank. They disagreed on the ontological spatial relation of space rather than on its geometrical or physical structure. Closely think is the disagreement on the existence of vacuums in nature while Leibniz denies it, Clarke asserts it. In this paper, I shall focus on Leibnizs position in this debate. In piece unrivaled, I shall reconstruct the theory of physical space which Leibniz presents in his garner to Clarke. This theory differs from Leibnizs ultimate metaphysics of space, but it is geticularly interesting for systematic reasons, and it in like manner gave rise to a lively discussion in modern doctrine of science. In part two, I shall examine whether the existence of vacuums is control off by that theory of space, as Leibniz seems to im ply in one of his letters. I shall confirm the result of E. J. Khamara (Leibnizs Theory of Space A Reconstruction, Philosophical every quarter 43 1993 472-88) that Leibnizs theory of space rules out the existence of a authoritative kind of vacuum, namely extramundane vacuums, although it does not rule out vacuums within the world. groundingIt is well-known that a central issue in the famous debate between Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Samuel Clarke is the nature of space. Leibniz and Clarke, who did not only take a northwardian standpoint, but was even assisted in designing his answers to Leibniz by Sir Isaac Newton himself, (2) disagree on the ontological status of space rather than on its (geometrical or physical) structure. Closely related to the disagreement on the ontological status of space is a further disagreement on the existence of vacuums in nature While Leibniz denies it, Clarke asserts it.In this paper I shall focus on Leibnizs position in the debate about these issue s. In the first part I shall try to reconstruct the theory of physical space which Leibniz presents in his letters to Clarke. In the second part I shall examine, whether the existence of vacuums is ruled out by that theory of space, as Leibniz seems to imply in one of his letters (see below).To focus exclusively on the correspondence with Clarke is a childbed I am aware of. The theory which I am dismission to reconstruct differs from Leibnizs ultimate metaphysics of space, (3) but it is particularly interesting for systematic reasons and it as well as gave rise to a lively discussion in modern school of thought of science.