Leibniz and materialism. Paul Natorp's reading of Leibniz

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze Paul Natorp’s approach to Leibniz’s work. More specifically, we will study the reasons why Natorp considers that Leibniz demonstrates that the mechanical conception of nature leads to idealism and the arguments he offers to read Leibniz in this direction. The article contains three parts. First, we will study the context of Natorp’s interpretation. Second, we will analyze the central hypotheses of his reading. Finally, we will explore the relation between the notions of “substance” and “law” to show how these notions are connected in Leibniz’s works according to Natorp.