Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716)

Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716)

1.     The principle of identity of non-contradiction.

2.     The principle of sufficient reason: there is some reason why something exists and why it exists as it does

3.     The principle of internal harmony: G actualized only those possibilities that would guarantee the maximum amount of metaphysical and moral …

 

 

The Principle of Identity

All propositions can be divided in two types:

 

Analytic

A.    True by definition

(they are true merely by virtue of the meanings of the words in the sentences.)

B.     Necessary

(their opposites are self contradictions. They cannot be false.)

C.     A priori (their truth is known independently of observation.)

 

Synthetic

A.    Not true by definition (their truth or falsity depends not on meanings but on facts in the world.)

B.     Not necessary: rather, contingent (they could be false if facts were different.)

C.     A posteriori (Their truth or falsity is known by observation.)