Philosophy 382
Bradford Skow

	
						Handout on Leibniz
			


Leibniz's first argument against substantivalism (space version) (p.1, sect. 5):


1. 	If substantivalism is true, then it is possible that the every pair of
	material bodies be just as far apart as they actually are, while being 
	located at different parts of space.
	
2.	It is not possible that every pair of material bodies be just as far apart 
	as they actually are, while being located at different parts of space.

3.	Therefore, substantivalism is false.



Definition:	The Principle of Sufficient Reason =df. nothing happens without a 
			reason why it should be so, rather than otherwise.


Definition:	The Principle of Sufficient Reason, Theological Version =df. For 
			everything that is so, God has a sufficient reason for making it 
			that way rather than some other.


Leibniz's first argument against substantivalism (time version) (p1., sect. 6):



1.	If substantivalism is true, then it is possible that all the events occur
	that actually occur, but each event occurs 1 hour earlier.
	
2.	It is not possible all the events occur that actually occur, but each event 
	occurs 1 hour earlier.

3.	Therefore, substantivalism is false.




Leibniz's second argument against substantivalism (p. 5, sect. 52):

1.	If substantivalism is true, then it is possible that everything be moving		
	at a constant speed, while the distances between all material bodies 
	remains the same.
	
2.	If it is possible that everything be moving at a constant speed while the
	distances between all material bodies remains the same, then it is possible
	that there be motion without change.

3.	It is not possible that there be motion without change.

4.	Therefore, substantivalism is false.