L’idéalisme et le phénoménalisme leibnizien
Many commentators try to read Leibniz either as an idealist or a realist, adding a phenomenalist reading to theses first two analyses. However, those terms are however often used with ambiguities, making Leibniz sometimes an even more complex philosopher. The first purpose of this master’s thesis is to gather and compare all these interpretations in order to clarify Leibniz’s thought. In this study, his writings will be used to defend the following interpretation : Leibniz can be considered as a realist since he develops a theory where monads act as « mind-independent » entities. Nonetheless, these monads are non-extended and without parts. Therefore, we can present an idealistic understanding of Leibniz, for they are the “basic building-blocks” of his metaphysic. Still, clarifications need to be made concerning the body. It can either be “real”, if it is seen as an aggregate of monads. Or, it can be considered a “mind-dependent” phenomenon if seen as the result of monadic perceptions. We will develop, between these two possibilities, an intermediate position stating that bodies are indeed aggregates of monads (matter realism). However they must be considered as phenomena for this same reason (phenomenalism). Corporeal aggregates require the action of the mind which alone can give them unity. On the contrary monads are said to be unum per se. Bodies are therefore phenomena but precisely well founded in the monads that compose them.
Leibniz substance substance corporelle Idealism Realism Phenomenalism body corporeal substance monad metaphysic modern philosophy