Living Mirrors

Infinity, Unity, and Life in Leibniz's Philosophy

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Metaphysics, History
Cover of the book Living Mirrors by Ohad Nachtomy, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ohad Nachtomy ISBN: 9780190907341
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: March 29, 2019
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Ohad Nachtomy
ISBN: 9780190907341
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: March 29, 2019
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

In Living Mirrors, Ohad Nachtomy examines Leibniz's attempt to "re-enchant" the natural world-that is, to infuse life, purpose, and value into the very foundations of nature, a nature that Leibniz saw as disenchanted by Descartes' and Spinoza's more naturalistic and mechanistic theories. Nachtomy sees Leibniz's nuanced view of infinity- how it differs in the divine as well as human spheres, and its relationship to numerical and metaphysical unity-as key in this effort. Leibniz defined living beings by means of an infinite nested structure particular to what he called "natural machines"-and for him, an intermediate kind of infinity is the defining feature of living beings. Using a metaphor of a "living mirror," Leibniz put forth infinity as crucial to explaining the unity of a living being as well as the harmony between the infinitely small and the infinitely large; in this way, employing infinity and unity, we can better understand life itself, both as a metaphysical principle and as an empirical fact. Nachtomy's sophisticated and novel treatment of the essential themes in Leibniz's work will not only interest Leibniz scholars, but scholars of early modern philosophy and students of the history of philosophy and science as well.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Living Mirrors, Ohad Nachtomy examines Leibniz's attempt to "re-enchant" the natural world-that is, to infuse life, purpose, and value into the very foundations of nature, a nature that Leibniz saw as disenchanted by Descartes' and Spinoza's more naturalistic and mechanistic theories. Nachtomy sees Leibniz's nuanced view of infinity- how it differs in the divine as well as human spheres, and its relationship to numerical and metaphysical unity-as key in this effort. Leibniz defined living beings by means of an infinite nested structure particular to what he called "natural machines"-and for him, an intermediate kind of infinity is the defining feature of living beings. Using a metaphor of a "living mirror," Leibniz put forth infinity as crucial to explaining the unity of a living being as well as the harmony between the infinitely small and the infinitely large; in this way, employing infinity and unity, we can better understand life itself, both as a metaphysical principle and as an empirical fact. Nachtomy's sophisticated and novel treatment of the essential themes in Leibniz's work will not only interest Leibniz scholars, but scholars of early modern philosophy and students of the history of philosophy and science as well.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Phantom of the Opera Level 1 Oxford Bookworms Library by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book The Power of Black Music by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Religion in America: A Very Short Introduction by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Democracy to Come by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Wonders of Numbers by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Tocqueville: A Very Short Introduction by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Innovations in Psychosocial Interventions and Their Delivery by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Empire of Ruin by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book To Lead the World by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book A House in Gross Disorder by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Communion of Immigrants by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book The Oxford Book of Stories by Canadian Women in English by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Piano Lessons with Claudio Arrau by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book The Reception of Bach's Organ Works from Mendelssohn to Brahms by Ohad Nachtomy
Cover of the book Contracts of Fiction by Ohad Nachtomy
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy