Contingency, practice and political thought in Leibniz

Abstract

To what extent do Leibniz’s political activities find support in his metaphysics? To answer the question it is helpful to think of his activities as a part of a “practice” in which philosophical concepts are melded with a vision of the current political situation. The context permits, requires and limits this activity. Leibniz’s Metaphysics is akin to his political activities. The paper adresses this issue taking into account the concepts of contingency and liberty, and the ways in which truths of reason found truths of fact: as manifestations of the substance and as facts that are covered by laws. Leibniz’s concept of substance implies a concept of action which implies a vision of man in God’s image, which includes political activity. On the other hand Leibniz reformulates the classical idea of natural law distinguishing three degrees: just strictum, equitas and pietas.