more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 12785

[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 2. Knowledge as Convention ]

Full Idea

In the mutual agreement of perceivers consists the truth of the phenomena.

Gist of Idea

Truth is mutually agreed perception

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1716.05.29)

Book Ref

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.206


A Reaction

This remark is startling close to the 'perspectivism' that crops up in the late notebooks of Nietzsche. Leibniz was keen on relativism in many areas, starting with the nature of space. I personally think Leibniz meant 'knowledge' rather than 'truth'.


The 13 ideas from 'Letters to Des Bosses'

Without a substantial chain to link monads, they would just be coordinated dreams [Leibniz]
Things seem to be unified if we see duration, position, interaction and connection [Leibniz]
Every substance is alive [Leibniz]
Monads do not make a unity unless a substantial chain is added to them [Leibniz]
A substantial bond of powers is needed to unite composites, in addition to monads [Leibniz]
A composite substance is a mere aggregate if its essence is just its parts [Leibniz]
There is a reason why not every possible thing exists [Leibniz]
Truth is mutually agreed perception [Leibniz]
Allow no more miracles than are necessary [Leibniz]
Monads control nothing outside of themselves [Leibniz]
There is active and passive power in the substantial chain and in the essence of a composite [Leibniz]
Primitive force is what gives a composite its reality [Leibniz]
We can grasp the wisdom of God a priori [Leibniz]