Jorati, Julia. Leibniz on Causation, Part 2
2015, Philosophy Compass 10 (6):398-405
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Added by: Simon Fokt, Contributed by: Julia Jorati
Abstract: Leibniz is almost unique among early modern philosophers in giving final causation a central place in his metaphysical system. All changes in created substances, according to Leibniz, have final causes, that is, occur for the sake of some end. There is, however, no consensus among commentators about the details of Leibniz's views on final causation. The least perfect types of changes that created substances undergo are especially puzzling because those changes seem radically different from paradigmatic instances of final causation. Building on my more general discussion of efficient and final causation in ‘Leibniz on Causation – Part 1,’ I will examine and assess some of the rival interpretations of Leibniz's account of final causation.Can’t find it?Contribute the texts you think should be here and we’ll add them soon!
Comment: Can be used for a survey course on early modern philosophy or for a more specialized course on the history of causation.