Leibniz on World’s Progress: Unity, Perfection and Freedom

Abstract

Between 1680 and 1716 Leibniz inquires how the world’s perfection progresses. Specially, he examines if the world increases in perfection or remains equally perfect. The purpose of this paper is to explain why both answers are valid in Leibniz’s philosophy. The article is divided into three parts. First, I analyze Leibniz’s notion of progress and I show the different answers he gives to the question; second, I evaluate why the hypothesis of increasing perfection is compatible with the thesis of the best possible world; third, I defend that the indetermination of this dilemma is a requisite to introduce the possibility of moral good in his system.