Abstract

FAZIO, Rodolfo. Dinámica y metafísica en la correspondencia con De Volder: objetivo, alcance y validez del argumento a priori a favor de la medición de las fuerzas. Tópicos [online]. 2020, n.39, pp.95-117. ISSN 1666-485X.

In the present paper I study Leibniz’s a priori proof for the measure of force in his correspondence with De Volder. Its general goal is to prove that this argument has no privilege for understanding Leibniz’s notion of primitive action of substances. First, I analyze the historical and conceptual context that allows understanding the a priori proof. In particular, I explain why Leibniz presents this argument and I specify the notions that are used in it, such as force, action, and formal action. Second, I study the structure of the proof and analyze its validity; I present the main problems that De Volder criticizes and show under which assumption the proof is sound. Third, I examine the scope of this proof in relation to the a posteriori argument and argue that it has no advantage with regard to understanding Leibniz’s metaphysics.

Keywords : Leibniz; dynamics; substance; force; action.