G. W. LEIBNIZ AND THE DE INSULA UTOPICA. The theory of the best of all possible worlds excludes the possibility of an ideal community from Leibniz’s philosophical horizon. A world without evil, like the one invented by utopians, is incomplete and therefore inferior to the present world. For this reason, the utopian model cannot be taken as an archetype to imitate. Nor can it be used as a criterion for measuring, by means of a comparative evaluation of the imaginary and the concrete community, the imperfection of the real consociations (as, on the other hand, Plato, More, Campanella and Bacon had assumed). Furthermore, utopia spreads unfounded hopes of a well-being which is achieved without efforts. According to the Leipzig philosopher, however, every improvement of human conditions can be achieved only by gathering the yield of the civilising action of the past generations and by coordinating, through a dense network of academies, the efforts of scientists of different nationalities. In 1688 Leibniz reflected on these issues, writing a short fragment (never published), in which he comments on the brief profile (imagined by him) of an ideal community, criticizing the utopian sirens and recalling man to a concrete commitment in history.
G.W. Leibniz e il De insula utopica
CAMBI, Maurizio
2013-01-01
Abstract
G. W. LEIBNIZ AND THE DE INSULA UTOPICA. The theory of the best of all possible worlds excludes the possibility of an ideal community from Leibniz’s philosophical horizon. A world without evil, like the one invented by utopians, is incomplete and therefore inferior to the present world. For this reason, the utopian model cannot be taken as an archetype to imitate. Nor can it be used as a criterion for measuring, by means of a comparative evaluation of the imaginary and the concrete community, the imperfection of the real consociations (as, on the other hand, Plato, More, Campanella and Bacon had assumed). Furthermore, utopia spreads unfounded hopes of a well-being which is achieved without efforts. According to the Leipzig philosopher, however, every improvement of human conditions can be achieved only by gathering the yield of the civilising action of the past generations and by coordinating, through a dense network of academies, the efforts of scientists of different nationalities. In 1688 Leibniz reflected on these issues, writing a short fragment (never published), in which he comments on the brief profile (imagined by him) of an ideal community, criticizing the utopian sirens and recalling man to a concrete commitment in history.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
