Calculus,Decomposition of the Continuum:On the Vis Viva Controversy and the Beginning of Leibniz's Dynamics
The problem of conservation is one of the significant problems in physics.Leibniz's related discussion induced the famous vis viva controversy in history of sciences,which involved the questions that what is conserved(motion or force)and the formula for calculation of the conserved quantities.Through his ontological investigation on the motion,Leibniz pushed this physical problem to the level of metaphysics and developed an anti-cartesian physico-metaphysical system.Implementing his original method of calculus,he decomposed the continuum invol-ving motion,time and space.The motion was reduced to the force,and a theory of relativity of time and space was established.Such investigation destroyed the reality of the motion per se,which made possible Leibniz's dynamics centered on substantial forms.In this approach,the calculus is the important moment to understand Leibniz's thoughts,which has not yet been sufficient elucidated.This essay shows that Leibniz's philosophical system is an organic unity of mathematics,physics and metaphysics.
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