CJ's Cheat Sheet

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz wrote Monadology (1714) to explain the fundamental nature of reality. It’s a short philosophical text but complex, so here’s the straightforward version:

1. What is a Monad? (p. 236 237, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
   • A monad is a simple, indivisible, and unique substance that makes up everything in the universe.
   • Monads cannot be broken down or physically interacted with. Think of them like atoms but purely metaphysical (not physical).
   • Each monad is self contained and does not directly interact with others.

2. How Do Monads Work? (p. 238, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
   • Monads have no windows, meaning they don’t receive external input from other monads.
   • Instead, each monad reflects the universe in its own way, like a tiny mirror of reality.
   • They operate based on an internal principle set by God, unfolding according to a pre established harmony (more on this below).

3. Pre Established Harmony (The Big Idea) (p. 239 240, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
   • Even though monads don’t directly affect each other, they seem to be in sync.
   • Why? Because God has programmed them in advance to be perfectly coordinated, like clocks set to the same time.
   • Example: If you and I both reach for a cup at the same time, it’s not because we interacted—it’s because our monads were already set to act that way.

4. Monads Have Different Levels of Perception (p. 241 242, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
   • Some monads are simple, like basic elements of reality (rocks, plants).
   • Some monads have higher awareness, like humans, who have memory and reason.
   • The highest monad is God, who has perfect perception and created the system.

5. Why Does This Matter? (p. 243 244, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
   • Reality isn’t made of physical matter alone—it’s mental and structured by divine order.
   • Even though we don’t directly affect each other, everything works together perfectly because of the pre established harmony.
   • Free will still exists, but it operates within this grand, predetermined system.

Basically

• Everything is made of monads, indivisible metaphysical units.
  
  

• Monads don’t interact but follow their own internal logic.
  The world is in sync because of pre established harmony (God’s master plan).
  
  

• Monads have different levels of consciousness, with God as the supreme monad.
  
  

• It’s basically a spiritual, metaphysical version of atomic theory where God ensures everything runs smoothly without direct cause and effect interactions.

Sections & Key Ideas in Monadology

1–3: Monads Are the Basic Units of Reality (p. 236 237, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• Monads are simple substances that make up everything.
• They are indivisible and have no physical parts.
• Monads are created and destroyed by God, not by nature.

4–7: Monads Have No Physical Interaction (p. 238 239, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• Monads have no “windows” (they don’t interact physically).
• Each monad contains everything it needs internally.
• Changes in monads happen from within, not from outside forces.

8–12: Perception and Individuality (p. 240, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• Every monad is unique and has its own perception of reality.
• Differences in monads come from how clearly they perceive the world.

13–16: The Principle of Change (p. 241, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• Monads constantly change and evolve (they have “appetition” – a built in drive to develop).
• Changes happen naturally from within, not from external causes.

17–23: Degrees of Perception and Consciousness (p. 242, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• Some monads have low perception (plants, simple creatures).
• Others have memory and self awareness (humans).
• The most conscious monads are rational souls (humans) and God.

24–30: The Pre Established Harmony (p. 243 244, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• God set up the universe so that monads appear to interact.
• Think of monads as clocks that are perfectly synchronized by God.
• This means there’s no physical cause and effect, just pre set coordination.

31–39: The Nature of the Soul and Body (p. 245 246, Leibniz. The Nature of Metaphysics)
• Souls are monads with higher perception.
• The body and soul are linked, but not by physical connection—they follow the pre established harmony.

40–51: God as the Supreme Monad (p. 236 237, Julian Marias. History of Philosophy)
• God is the ultimate monad, infinite, eternal, and perfect.
• God created monads and set the rules they follow.

52–60: The Best of All Possible Worlds (p. 238, Leibniz. The Theodicy)
• Why does suffering exist? Leibniz argues that God chose the best possible world out of all possibilities.
• Even if the world has flaws, it’s still the best one God could have made.

61–70: Souls, Spirits, and Moral Perfection (p. 239 240, Leibniz. The Theodicy)
• Humans have moral awareness, which sets them apart from lower monads.
• The goal of a rational monad (human soul) is to align with God’s perfection.

71–90: Final Thoughts on God, Reality, and Science (p. 241 242, HarperCollins Dictionary of Philosophy)
• Science and reason help us understand monads, but God remains the ultimate source of order.