December 25, 1979

NEW SOLIDARITY Page 5

Leibniz's Idea of The Academy and The Crisis of Education

by Gabriele Liebig

Part I What follows is the first part of a presentation given by Gabriele Liebig at the opening of the Private Academy for Humanist Studies in Munich, West Germany in ovember !"#"$ Liebig is a member of the e%ecutive committee of the &uropean Labor Party in West Germany$ Although Liebig's presentation specifically addressed the woes of Western &uropean science and education, the crisis she describes will be all too familiar to American readers$ (he Private Academy, li)e the cothin)er Humanist Academy in the *nited States, is devoting itself to reinvigorating education and science on the basis of the Platonic method Liebig develops here$ The hist r! " the aca#emies begi$s, as "ar as is %$ &$, &ith P'at (s Aca#em! i$ Athe$s) It is P'at $ic scie$ce that 'ater bri$gs " rth the Arab Re$aissa$ce, a$# *+ts its stam* $ the great Arab *hi' s *her ib$,Si$a) We ha-e the .ree% .emist s P'eth $ t tha$% " r the "act that the P'at $ic

sch ' t % h '# agai$ i$ the E+r *e " the Re$aissa$ce) P'eth $ c mes t /' re$ce i$ the mi##'e " the 15th ce$t+r!, a$# there h '#s h+ma$ist 'ect+res $ P'at (s teachi$gs, &hich 'e# 0 sim #e 1e#ici t estab'ish a P'at $ic aca#em! i$ /' re$ce) The hea# " this aca#em! &as 1arsi'i /ici$ ) The $e2t great aca#emies $ this m #e' are Th mas .resham(s 0 ''ege i$ T+# r E$g'a$# a$# the Aca#3mie /ra$4aise estab'ishe# +$#er 0ar#i$a' Riche'ie+ i$ Paris i$ 1567) Th se i$ -er! br a# +t'i$e are the a$tece#e$ts, the ra& materia's, s t s*ea%, +t " &hich Leib$i8 create# his i#ea " the aca#em!, &hich reache# "ar be! $# a$!thi$g that ha# *re-i +s'! bee$ rea'i8e#) The aca#emies i$ Petersb+rg a$# 9er'i$ &ere i$#ee# estab'ishe# at Leib$i8(s i$stigati $, a$# became -a'+ab'e a$# "r+it"+' ce$ters " scie$ti"ic *r gress) 9+t "irst c mes the Leib$i8ia$ c $ce*ti $ " the aca#em!:as a * i$t "r m &hich scie$ti"ic, tech$ ' gica', a$# ec $ mic *r gress ra#iates i$ the ser-ice " the re*+b'ic :the /re$ch ;c 'e P '!tech$i<+e i$ the time " the America$ Re- '+ti $) =I i$te$ti $a''! sa! the America$ a$# $ t the /re$ch Re- '+ti $> the 'atter, as is &e'' %$ &$, br +ght /ra$ce(s best hea#s t the g+i'' ti$e &ith the ?ac bi$ cr!@ AWe $ee# $ me$ " scie$ceA:" r e2am*'e La- isier a$# 0 $# rcet> 0ar$ t $'! bare'! esca*e# the ATerr r)AB What is the esse$tia' simi'arit! " a'' these aca#emiesC Each " them &as a c $sci +s * 'itica' a$s&er t the s cia' crisis " ec $ mics a$# scie$ce i$ a time &hich ther&ise *rese$te# treme$# +s ** rt+$ities " r the im*r -e, me$t " ma$%i$#, i" the re*+b'ic c +'# $'! be estab'ishe# $ the basis " reas $, $ame'!, " c $sci +s'! *r m te# a$# a**'ie# scie$ti"ic a$# tech$ , ' gica' *r gress) This &as the case &ith Leib$i8(s *'a$s " r a$ aca#em! i$ 1ai$8, &hich &ere s+re'! i$"'+e$ce# b! 0 'bert(s * 'itica',ec $ mic i#eas) This aca#em!, &here a'' research & +'# be c $ce$trate# a$# *+rs+e#, &as t test its $e& tech$ ' gica' #isc -eries i$ its &$ "act ries, a$# tra$smit them t the & r% " rce i$ its &$ sch 's a$# r*ha$ages) 1a$! s+ch aca#emies &ere t ha-e bee$ estab'ishe# i$ .erma$!, a$# Leib$i8 a's *r * se# re" rms " r the #rie#,+*, sch 'astica' +$i-ersities@ AA## t the e2isti$g "ac+'ties =the ' g!, D+ris*r+#e$ce, me#ici$e, a$# *hi' s *h!B a$ ec $ mics "ac+'t!, &hich & +'# embrace the mathematica' arts a$# a'' that &hich s*eci"ica''! a""ects *e *'e(s 'i-e'ih # a$# the c m" rts " 'i"e, i$ &hich a's agric+'t+re a$# architect+re & +'# be i$c'+#e#)A This is the i#ea " the ;c 'e P '!tech$i<+e, &hich i$ "act set i$ m ti $ the i$#+stria'i8ati $ " E+r *e)

Plato with his Timaeus, a detail of a ainting of The School of Athens by the Italian !enaissance ainter !a hael"

9+t t #a! &e &i'' c $cer$ +rse'-es &ith the sec $# esse$tia' characteristic a'' these aca#emies ha-e i$ c mm $@ the Ne *'at $ic meth # that &as ta+ght a$# "+rther #e-e' *e# there)

What is %$ &'e#geC The *artic+'ar %$ &'e#ge &hich t #a! is g # a$# +se"+', !et t m rr & is +t " #ateC N , it is$(t *artic+'ar %$ &'e#ge that c +$ts, b+t the meth # b! &hich the h+ma$ mi$# c mes t $e& %$ &'e#ge> the creati-e *ri$ci*'e, r the P'at $ic meth # " reas $, this is the secret %$ &'e#ge " the Ne *'at $ic scie$tist) 9+t it is $ t the Ne *'at $ics &h ha-e %e*t it secret "r m the & r'#> rather their e$emies, begi$$i$g &ith Arist t'e +* t 9ertra$# R+sse'' a$# Sir Ear' P **er t #a!, ha-e # $e e-er!thi$g t s+**ress the P'at $ic meth # r t c $cea' it i$ a m!stica' " g) That " c +rse is a thir# simi'arit! am $g the P'at $ic aca#emies) The! &ere a'&a!s bitter'! embatt'e#, i" $ t i$ b' #! &ar, the$ i$ the " rm " a$ i$te''ect+a', e*istem ' gica' &ar, &hich is i$ $ &a! e$#e# t #a!) O$'! i$ this c $te2t, i$ m! -ie&, ca$ a$ a**r ach be " +$# t s '-i$g the crisis " e#+cati $, #isc+ssi $ " &hich t #a! is as heate# as it is &r $g) The crisis " e#+cati $ is i$ the "irst *'ace $ t a *r b'em " the sch 's, b+t rather re"'ects a crisis i$ scie$ce -era'') A$# that(s e2act'! &here &e m+st begi$) Least " a'' sh +'# the #ebate be c $#+cte# #emag gica''!, " r e2am*'e ab +t the si8e " the sch ' b+i'#i$gsF 0+rric+'a a$# &hat is i$ "act tra$smitte# i$ the i$str+cti $ " e'eme$tar!,sch ' st+#e$ts mere'! re"'ect &hat is ha**e$i$g i$ the +$i-ersities) A$# &hat ha**e$s there is:$ t m+ch) Are the +$i-ersities t #a! a *'ace " r researchC Or is$(t it m+ch m re the case that the *r "ess rs gi-e the same 'ect+res !ear a"ter !earC / r research se-era' sma''er i$stit+ti $s ha-e bee$ estab'ishe#, b+t there $ teachi$g ta%es *'ace) I$ the +$i-ersities, at best, the!(re crammi$g *artia', #is*arate %$ &'e#ge) Where, the$, is the s*irit " #isc -er!, &hich m+st i$ "act be c $-e!e# t chi'#re$ i$ their sch ' 'ess $s i$ r#er t stim+'ate their thi$%i$gC This s*irit m+st be br +ght i$t the +$i-ersities agai$ "r m the +tsi#e, a$# a'' the h+ma$ist aca#emies I(-e me$ti $e# "+'"i''e# e2act'! this "+$cti $) I$ Leib$i8(s time the +$i-ersities &ere esse$tia''! *r "essi $a' rga$i8ati $s #e#icate# t *reser-i$g bits " sch 'astic &is# m) With +t the aca#emies it & +'# ha-e bee$ " re-er be" re the i$-estigati $ " $at+re g t +$#er &a! i$ the +$i-ersities) The #isery of the $atural %ciences T #a! &e are i$ a c m*arab'e sit+ati $) The +$i-ersities i$ ge$era', b+t m st gra-e'! the $at+ra' scie$ces, "i$# themse'-es i$ a *r " +$# crisis) A$ e2*ressi $ " this crisis a$# " the e""ects " $at+ra',scie$ce i$str+cti $ i$ the sch 's is the -er! b-i +s e2am*'e " the Agree$ieA a$ti$+c'ear m -e, me$t> it &as create# a$# sha*e# b! a$ irrati $a' hatre# " $at+ra' scie$ce, "

tech$ ' g! a$# a'' that g es &ith it) N t the s 'e reas $ b+t the basis " this #e-e' *me$t is the #e"icie$t r t ta''! t&iste# +$#ersta$#i$g " $at+ra' scie$ce am $g a gr &i$g * rti $ " the * *+'ati $) The e-i' begi$s i$ mathematics i$str+cti $) 1athematics t #a!, e-e$ m re s tha$ be" re, is ta+ght as c m*'ete'! #etache#:abstracte#:"r m *h!sics a$# ther $at+ra' scie$ces, as *+re ' gic, i$ the & rst case as R+sse''ite set the r!) I %$ & that set the r! is "te$ critici8e# i$ a c m*'ete'! i$c m*ete$t &a!, D+st beca+se it(s s methi$g $e& that *are$ts #i#$(t 'ear$ &he$ the! &ere i$ sch ') That i$ itse'" is b-i +s'! $ criteri $) R+sse''ite set the r!, &hich the te2tb %s &r $g'! h '# .e rg 0a$t r res* $sib'e " r, ta%es mathematics, &hich si$ce the time " Tha'es " 1i'et+s has bee$ base# $ ge metr!, a$# se$se'ess'! t+r$s it $ its hea#) The $'! c'ear re"ere$ce * i$t, as &ith $ mi$a'ism ge$era''!, is the -isib'e, e2isti$g, *artic+'ar thi$g) A D+mb'e " $e& s!mb 's a$# ca'c+'ati $ sig$s i$tr #+ces a " rma'ist s!stem " a'gebra, &hich a'' t "te$ $ t $'! r bs the st+#e$t " a$! #esire t 'ear$ math, b+t a's b' c%s his &a! t a$! a#e<+ate +$#ersta$#i$g " the $at+ra' scie$ces) / r the $at+ra' scie$ces i$c'+#e $ t $'! *h!sics, &hich acc r#i$g t the c $ce*ti $ c+rre$t t #a! i$c'+#es $'! the i$ rga$ic s*here " the +$i-erse, b+t a's the scie$ces " the rga$ic s*here, bi ' g! a$# 8 ' g!) This is, as ! + %$ &, $ t the highest stage " #e-e' *me$t " the +$i-erse@ be! $# that there is ma$ a$# his *artic+'ar s*here, &h se rga$i8ati $ a$# *h!sica' tra$s" rmati $s are #etermi$e# thr +gh the creati-e acti-it! " the h+ma$ mi$#) T this thir# s*here, the a'terati $ " $at+re b! ma$, be' $gs ab -e a'' ec $ mic scie$ce, certai$'! Leib$i8(s ec $ mic scie$ce) The miserab'e c $#iti $ " $at+ra' scie$ce rea''! begi$s right a"ter Leib$i8(s #eath, &ith the shar* s*'it bet&ee$ Geisteswissenschaft a$# aturwissen+ schaft G'itera''! the s*irit+a' a$# $at+ra' scie$ces, +s+a''! re$#ere# i$ E$g'ish as the arts a$# scie$ces)H 1 st " the great #isc -eries si$ce that time ha-e bee$ ma#e r *re*are# b! *e *'e &h ha-e not 'imite# themse'-es &ith this se*arati $) What is the res+'t " this ga* t #a!C What t #a! are ca''e# the arts ha-e agai$ bee$ #i-i#e# i$t a th +sa$# *artic+'ar scie$ces, i$ each " &hich *'+ra'ist *i$i $ reig$s) I$ ther & r#s, $e starts "r m the sta$#* i$t that the tr+th:s methi$g 'i%e a 'a& " hist r!:ca$$ t be ascertai$e#) N $e tr+sts himse'" t gi-e a ge$era''! -a'i# D+#gme$t " &hich is right@ e2iste$, tia'ism r h+ma$ism) As ' $g as the arts a$# scie$ces are #etache# "r m $e

a$ ther, there are i$ "act $ criteria " r either) The arts th+s bec me a matter " *i$i $> irrati $a'ism has +ste# reas $) 1ea$&hi'e the $at+ra' scie$ces are a's $ the &a! t A*'+ra'ismA it(s D+st $ t a#mitte# as *e$'!) The b-i +s c $tra#icti $s i$ *h!sics:" r e2am*'e, bet&ee$ the &a-e characteristics a$# *artic'e characteristics " 'ight:are ir $e# +t &ith magic " rm+'as 'i%e the A# +b'e $at+re " 'ight,A i$stea# " ta%i$g the c $tra#icti $ as the ccasi $ " r $e& h!* theses that & +'# act+a''! ta%e +s "+rther) This is 'ess a matter " #i'ige$ce tha$ " meth #) Si$ce Ne&t $(s bri''ia$t *r $ +$ceme$t AI ha-e $ $ee# " h!* thesis,A h!* theses are m re r 'ess tab :i$ a$! case th se &ith s me&hat 'arger sc *e) It m+st seem t *h!sics st+#e$ts that the age " gr +$#brea%i$g #isc -eries has *asse#) E'eme$tar! sch ' st+#e$ts sh & greater scie$ti"ic c+ri sit! i$ this regar# tha$ +$i-ersit! st+#e$ts r the s , ca''e# ,rotgelehrten =Schi''er(s term " r th se 'ear$e# *r "essi $a's m re c $cer$e# &ith their *a!chec%s tha$ &ith tr+thB) I" the e2*ressi $ As +''ess teachi$g "act riesA has a$! -a'i#it!, the$ that(s &h!:b+t "ar m re " r the +$i-ersities tha$ " r the sch 's) The Platonic #ethod The me$ta' s*ar% " the Re$aissa$ce, the starti$g * i$t " r se*arati$g a$# tra$smitti$g thi$%i$g as a s*eci"ica''! h+ma$ *'eas+re is abse$t i$ +r e#+cati $a' s!stem) Acc r#i$g t P'at , a$# 'ater i$ the Ita'ia$ Re$aissa$ce, the A#ia' g+e,A the As!m* si+m,A +s+a''! i$- '-e# a "east) E$D !ab'e "Ites &ere ce'ebrate# &hich &ere the e2act ** site " Di $!sia$ rgies) Jere i$ the c 'er $ rth, &here the Re$aissa$ce &as a's s me&hat c 'er, &e m+st, h &e-er, $ t #ra& the "a'se c $c'+si $ that either the /' re$ti$e aca#em! r P'at (s aca#em! at Athe$s &ere i#!''ic) I$ /' re$ce, D+st as i$ Athe$s, at iss+e &ere #i""ic+'t tas%s i$ rea'it!, " r e2am*'e, h & t &i$ &ars &ith a#-a$ce# tech$ ' gica' meth #s) At the ce$ter " P'at $ic the r! is, h &e-er, the 'ear$i$g " the meth # " creati$g $e&, i$#e*e$#e$t %$ &'e#ge, " thi$%i$g creati-e'!, i$ ther & r#s, " attai$i$g the 'e-e' " reas $, i$ c $trast t mere +$#ersta$#i$g) This m+st a's be the chie" g a' " the e#+cati $a' s!stem &e re<+ire) AThe +se " Reas $ is estab'ishe# $ t& great *ri$ci*'es,A &r te Leib$i8 i$ the Monadology@ /irst, that " 0 $tra#icti $, b! mea$s " &hich &e #escribe that as "a'se &hich i$c'+#es a c $tra#icti $ &ithi$ itse'") ) ) )

A$# sec $#, the *ri$ci*'e " S+""icie$t Reas $, i$ -irt+e " &hich &e be'ie-e that $ "act ca$ be rea' r e2isti$g a$# $ stateme$t tr+e +$'ess it has a s+""icie$t reas $ &h! it sh +'# be th+s a$# $ t ther&ise) 1 st "re<+e$t'!, h &e-er, these reas $s ca$$ t be %$ &$ b! +s) The *ri$ci*'e " c $tra#icti $ *r *er'! be' $gs i$ the rea'm " ' gic a$# the +$#ersta$#i$g, a$#, tha$% g #$ess, is +se# b! a'' *e *'e &h are sti'' i$ their right mi$#) The sec $# *ri$ci*'e, the *ri$ci*'e " s+""icie$t reas $, $ the c $trar!, a**ears t ha-e bee$ c m*'ete'! " rg tte$) T c $siste$t'! em*' ! it, e-e$ $ the sma''est *r b'em, #ema$#s the <+a'it! " reas $, a g a' &hich am $g $ rma' *e *'e is m st "te$ s +ght &ith the chi'#(s <+esti $ AWh!C Wh!CA The 'a& " s+""icie$t reas $ ca$ a's be e2*resse# #i""ere$t'!@ AE-er!thi$g is 'a&"+', there is $'! b'i$#$essFA The *e#ag g! " S crates i$ P'at (s #ia' g+es rests $ the 'a& " s+""icie$t reas $) There is, " r e2am*'e, the &e'',%$ &$ e2am*'e " the Meno) S crates sh &s 1e$ h &, D+st thr +gh &e'',#irecte# <+esti $s, he ca$ ma%e a$ +$e#+cate# s'a-e b ! ArememberA s methi$g &hich the ! +th act+a''! a'rea#! %$ &s b! -irt+e " his $at+ra' +$#ersta$#i$g) E"" rt'ess'!, -ia S crates( <+esti $s, the &igure '

! +th himse'" c mes t the c $c'+si $ that a s<+are is a right,a$g'e#, " +r, si#e# "ig+re &ith " +r e<+a' si#es, a$# that a s<+are &h se si#e meas+res 2 "eet has a$ area " 7 s<+are "eet) The$ S crates *+ts the <+esti $@ What & +'# the si8e be " r the si#e " a s<+are &ith a$ area " K s<+are "eetC / +r is &r $g, " r the$ the area & +'# be 15 s<+are "eet> three is a's &r $g, " r the$ the area & +'# be 9) /i$a''!, S crates, a'&a!s i$ the " rm " a #ia' g+e &ith the b !, #e-e' *s the s '+ti $@ The " +r tria$g'es $ the si#es " the s<+are c $str+cte# a' $g the #iag $a's " the 7 s<+are," t s<+ares a'&a!s, &he$ *+t t gether a$ ther &a!, res+'t i$ a sma'' i$si#e s<+are, c $tai$i$g eight s<+are "eet a't gether) /r m that c mes the ge$era' 'a& that the s<+are $ the #iag $a' " a s<+are !ie'#s a s<+are &ith t&ice the area " the rigi$a' s<+are) Yet b! itse'" that s +$#s m+ch 'ess c'ear tha$ S crates( -i-i# e2*'a$ati $ i$ the #ia' g+e) It ca$ a's be e2*resse# as " '' &s@ the #iag $a' has a 'e$gth &hich is the s<+are r t " K:ahaF s this is D+st a s*ecia' case " the AP!thag rea$ the rem)A The r#i$ar! math teacher i$ sch ' &rites the P!thag rea$ the rem $ the b'ac%b ar#@ I$ a right,a$g'e# tria$g'e the s<+are " the h!* te$+se e<+a's the s+m " the s<+ares " the t& sma''er si#es) T #em $strate this, the the rem is +s+a''! e2*'ai$e# &ith the " '' &i$g #ra&i$g@ &igure (

The &a! the s+""icie$t reas $:that(s a m+ch better e2*ressi $ tha$ A*r "A :" r the the rem, that is, the &a! P!thag ras came t his s '+ti $, remai$s hi##e$ "r m the teacher as &e'' as "r m the st+#e$ts) W rse, the im*ressi $ is c $-e!e# that P!thag ras ha# s me %i$# " Ai$t+iti $,A &hich he the$ trie# +t *erha*s 5L times $ 5L #i""ere$t right,a$g'e# tria$g'es, a$# came t the c $c'+si $ that he &as i$#ee# c rrect ab +t his i$t+iti $) Whe$e-er the 'a& " s+""icie$t reas $ is gi-e$ +*, em*iricism e$tersF Acc r#i$g t the P'at $ic meth #, $ the ther ha$#, as it is *+t " r&ar# i$ the Meno, it is <+ite eas! t "i$# the s+""icie$t reas $ " r the P!thag rea$ the remF S 'et(s as% as S crates #i#@ I" these t& s<+ares ha-e si#es " the same 'e$gth, the$ # the! ha-e same areaC:Yes) I" &e $ & #i-i#e +* the si#es " the s<+are $ the 'e"t i$ the same &a!, b+t s me&hat #i""ere$t'!, a$# c $$ect the #i-i#i$g * i$ts, the$ # &e ha-e right,a$g'e# tria$g'es:Yes, the$ the right a$g'es are the right a$g'es " the s<+are) N & 'et(s *'ace the bases " t& " these tria$g'es *ara''e' t the si#es i$ the s<+are $ the right> # &e $ t get t& m re right,a$g'e# tria$g'es, that are i#e$tica' &ith the "irst t& tria$g'es &e *r #+ce#C:Yes) &igure )

A$# ha-e$(t &e a's i$ a##iti $ create# t& i$si#e s<+ares, $e 'arger &hich is the s<+are " the ' $gest si#e " the tria$g'e, a$# a sma''er $e, &hich is the s<+are " the sma''er si#eC:Yes) A$# is$(t the s'a$ti$g s<+are i$si#e the s<+are $ the 'e"t the s<+are " the h!* te$+se " the tria$g'eC:Yes) What the$ remai$s " b th +tsi#e s<+ares i" &e s+btract the " +r e<+a', right,a$g'e# tria$g'esC:O$ the 'e"t s<+are, the s<+are " the h!* te$+se remai$s, $ the right the s<+are " the t& si#es) A$# i" "r m t& e<+a' areas the same am +$t is s+btracte#, that is, the " +r e<+a' tria$g'es, the$ is$(t the remai$#er e<+a'C:Yes, s the s<+are " the h!* te$+se " the right,a$g'e# tria$g'e a$# the s<+are " the t& si#es are e<+a') This sh +'# $ t be ca''e# a A*r ",A b+t rather, 'i%e Leib$i8, a$ Aart " #is, c -er!,A a meth # t attai$ $e& %$ &'e#ge) I $'! &a$t t sh & &ith this sim*'e e2am*'e h & -er! m+ch +t " +se the *ri$ci*'e " reas $i$g thr +gh the 'a& " s+""icie$t reas $ is, be" re g i$g $ t ther areas i$ the s ,ca''e# i$e2act scie$ces) L gic c $te$ts itse'" &ith understanding> S crates a$# Leib$i8 ca'' +* $ reason) J & is ma$(s reas $ #e-e' *e#C ?+st as P'at has # $e i$ this secti $ " the Meno) J & # es P'at #em $strate the *r cessC Whe$ S crates as%s h & ' $g the si#es " a s<+are &ith a$ area, " K m+st be, the b ! a$s&ers <+ic%'!:e$c +rage# b! a 'itt'e s+ccess:that the si#es m+st be 7 "eet ' $g) Je ha# "ig+re# +t be" re that 2 times 2 is 7, that is, # +b'e the 'e$gth " the si#es, a$# ha# there" re c $c'+#e# b! i$#+cti $ "r m # +b'i$g the 7, that the a$s&er &as K) That is &r $g, a$# P'at * rtra!s the me$ta' crisis the b ! c $"r $ts) Je bec mes a"rai#, the &h 'e thi$g seems c m*'ete'! +$ca$$!) I$#+cti $ has "ai'e# a$# a'' ther mea$s, 'i%e tr!i$g ma%i$g the 'e$gths " the si#es be 6, *r -e +$a-ai'i$g) The s '+ti $, S crates the$ * i$ts +t, is i$ a #i""ere$t rea'm> it be' $gs t a $e&, higher r#er " s '+ti $s) The 'e$gth " the #iag $a', a s<+are r t, be' $gs t the c'ass " irrati $a' $+mbers, a higher r#er " $+mbers tha$ the 'e$gth " the si#es " the s<+ares, &hich be' $gs t the rea'm " the r#i$a' $+mbers@ 1, 2, 6 ) ) ) 9+t m re im* rta$t, this higher s '+ti $ #ema$#s a h!* thesis &hich # es $ t c $tra#ict 'a&"+'$ess i$ the 'east, b+t # es $ t #e-e' * logically +t " &hat has a'rea#! bee$ #e-e' *e#)

The " rmati $ " s+ch h!* theses #ema$# th +ght i$ a 'arger c $te2t> it is $ t the *artic+'ar, the mi$+te s'i-er " the &h 'e +$i-erse r, i" & rst c mes t & rst, the s ,ca''e# e'eme$tar! *artic'es that sh +'# be the the retica' starti$g * i$t, b+t the t ta' *r cess itse'" is the "irst, the sim*'est, the e'eme$tar!) Leib$i8 & +'# ha-e sai# that the 'a& " s+""icie$t reas $ 'ea#s ! + as #irect'! as * ssib'e "r m the *artic+'ar "act, as s $ as ! + e2*' re it th r +gh'!, t the ma$i" '#'! c $$ecte# c $ti$+it! " the +$i-erse) At "irst sight that is the meth # " a$a'!sis "r m &hich the +$#ersta$#i$g ca$ h *e t ma%e a$ a**r 2imate *ict+re " the rea' +$i-erse) Ea$t, " r e2am*'e, & +'# ha-e th +ght s ) 9+t &ith this meth # &here # the ge$erati-e h!* theses c me "r mC The! c me "r m reas $, Ea$t sa!s, b+t he ca$$ t gi-e a$! better e2*'a$ati $ " h &) P'at is m+ch, m+ch m re *recise) Je #e-e' *s i$ the (imaeus, am $g ther thi$gs, the Ahigher h!* thesis,A &hich reas $ a' $e ca$ *e$etrate) There he #i""ere$tiates bet&ee$ the materia' =se$s+ +sB *erce*tib'e thi$gs " the & r'#, the thi$gs that are Aa'&a!s i$ m ti $, arisi$g at a *artic+'ar *'ace a$# ret+r$i$g there agai$,A a$# ma%e +* the e*hemera' as*ect " the +$i-erse, a$# $ the ther ha$# the s+bsta$ce that Aa'&a!s is a$# $e-er bec mes,A $either create# $ r #estr+ctib'e, Ai$-is, ib'e a$# a's $ t *erce*tib'e ) ) ) s methi$g that ca$ $'! be *ercei-e# b! reas $)A That is the higher h!* thesis, &h se s*irit has g+i#e# a'' the great Ne *'at $ic scie$tists si$ce P'at a$# has br +ght " rth the b '#est h!* the, ses that 'e# t the greatest #isc -eries) To be continued