This essay explores Émilie Du Châtelet’s neglected understanding of divine eternity and its relation to the views of Christian Wolff and G.W. Leibniz. It is divided into four parts. The first part sets the stage by distinguishing three views on divine eternity: atemporal, sempiternal, and permanent. The second part highlights an apparent tension in Du Châtelet’s discussion of divine eternity and argues that that tension points towards Du Châtelet’s acceptance of a permanent view of divine eternity. The third part argues that Wolff holds a position similar to Du Châtelet’s while the fourth part argues that the mature Leibniz holds an atemporal view. The essay concludes by suggesting that while Du Châtelet’s views on divine eternity may indeed be considered Leibnizian insofar as she rejects Newton’s and Clarke’s sempiternalism, her overall position with respect to divine eternity is closer to the views of Wolff than to those of Leibniz himself.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Du Châtelet, Wolff, and Leibniz on Divine Eternity

  • Jeffrey K. McDonough

摘要

This essay explores Émilie Du Châtelet’s neglected understanding of divine eternity and its relation to the views of Christian Wolff and G.W. Leibniz. It is divided into four parts. The first part sets the stage by distinguishing three views on divine eternity: atemporal, sempiternal, and permanent. The second part highlights an apparent tension in Du Châtelet’s discussion of divine eternity and argues that that tension points towards Du Châtelet’s acceptance of a permanent view of divine eternity. The third part argues that Wolff holds a position similar to Du Châtelet’s while the fourth part argues that the mature Leibniz holds an atemporal view. The essay concludes by suggesting that while Du Châtelet’s views on divine eternity may indeed be considered Leibnizian insofar as she rejects Newton’s and Clarke’s sempiternalism, her overall position with respect to divine eternity is closer to the views of Wolff than to those of Leibniz himself.