Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm

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Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm (1646–1716) German philosopher and mathematician. Leibniz made many practical inventions, including a calculating machine (1671). His discovery of differential and integral calculus was made independently of Sir Isaac Newton. Leibniz created a rationalist form of metaphysics, according to which the universe comprises a hierarchy of constituents (monads) with God at the top asserting a divine plan. This belief led him to argue that evil is divinely motivated. His major works include New Essays Concerning Human Understanding (1765) and Monadology (1898).

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