ライプニッツの実体論の問題 : 神の創造におけるその基盤

Abstract

The notion of substance is central to the whole of Leibniz' philosophy. It is intimately connected with such notions as preestablished harmony, the principle of sufficient reason etc., although these are sometimes condemmed by interpreters to be alien and unfit to the idea of individual substance. We take notice of the fact that Leibniz, over against Spinoza's pantheism, emphasized the intimate relation between living God and real creatures responsible to Him. The creative act of God involves His understanding and His will. The understanding deals with the way how to give the world's unity the maximum of variety and values. (Here plays an important rôle the notion of 'compossibility'). But the ultimate decision upon the world to be created is attributed by Leibniz to the will of God, so that the doctrine of fatalism may be avoided. Corresponding to the above conception of divine creation, Leibniz finds in the created world complete harmony and order on the one hand and the individuality of each created substance on the other. This dual way of Leibnizean thinking is also recognized in his idea of microcosmos reflecting macrocosmos, windowlessness of monads etc.. The writer retains for his subsequent articles the discussion upon how the substance will spontaneously develop its essence aiming at the best system of the world.