Meaning: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, a prominent German philosopher, mathematician, and logician of the 17th century, made significant contributions to various fields, including metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of mind. The quote “For since it is impossible for a created monad to have a physical influence on the inner nature of another, this is the only way in which one can be dependent on another” reflects Leibniz’s philosophy of monads and his views on the nature of individual substances and their interactions.

In order to understand the quote, it is essential to grasp Leibniz’s concept of monads. According to Leibniz, monads are the ultimate constituents of reality, and each monad is a simple, indivisible substance that possesses perception and appetite. Monads do not have spatial extension, and they are windowless entities that do not interact with each other in the traditional physical sense. Instead, each monad reflects the entire universe from its own unique perspective, and their interactions are harmoniously pre-established by God in a way that maintains the appearance of causal relations.

In the context of the quote, Leibniz is discussing the nature of dependence among monads. He argues that since monads cannot have a physical influence on each other, the only way in which one monad can be dependent on another is through a non-physical, pre-established harmony. This highlights Leibniz’s rejection of direct causal interaction between monads and his emphasis on the harmonious coexistence of individual substances within the pre-established framework of the universe.

Leibniz’s assertion that created monads cannot have a physical influence on each other is rooted in his metaphysical principles. For Leibniz, the principle of the identity of indiscernibles dictates that no two substances can be exactly alike, and each substance expresses the entire universe from its own unique perspective. As a result, there is no genuine interaction or causal influence between monads, as they are self-contained entities that reflect the universe in their perceptions without direct interaction with one another.

Furthermore, Leibniz’s concept of pre-established harmony plays a crucial role in understanding the quote. According to Leibniz, God, as the ultimate metaphysical principle, has pre-established the harmony between all monads in such a way that their perceptions and appetites align without direct interaction. This harmonious coordination ensures that the appearance of interaction and causal relations in the world is maintained, despite the lack of direct physical influence among monads.

In essence, the quote encapsulates Leibniz’s view of the interdependence of monads within the framework of pre-established harmony. It underscores his rejection of material interaction between monads and emphasizes the harmonious coordination of their perceptions and appetites as the basis for their interdependence. This reflects Leibniz’s broader metaphysical system, which seeks to reconcile the individuality of substances with their interconnectedness within a pre-established, harmonious order.

In conclusion, Gottfried Leibniz’s quote on the dependence of created monads encapsulates his profound metaphysical insights into the nature of individual substances and their interactions. Through his concept of monads and pre-established harmony, Leibniz offers a unique perspective on the interdependence of substances and the underlying harmony that governs their relations. This quote serves as a testament to Leibniz’s enduring influence on metaphysics and his innovative contributions to the philosophy of substance and causation.