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Single Idea 19406

[from 'Reply to Foucher' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / d. Actual infinite ]

Full Idea

I am so much for the actual infinite that instead of admitting that nature abhors it, as is commonly said, I hold that it affects nature everywhere in order to indicate the perfections of its author.

Gist of Idea

I strongly believe in the actual infinite, which indicates the perfections of its author

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Reply to Foucher [1693], p.99)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.99


A Reaction

I would have thought that, for Leibniz, while infinities indicate the perfections of their author, that is not the reason why they exist. God wasn't, presumably, showing off. Leibniz does not think we can actually know these infinities.