Mathesis quaedam Divina seu Mechanismus Metaphysicus -Leibniz and the sciences

In this year of the tercentenary of Leibniz's death, we celebrate his work through an international conference on Leibniz's relationship to the sciences.

Of course the notion of the "scientist" did not solidify until much later on in the 19th century. However, Leibniz's work in mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry and biology would certainly allow us to consider him under this appellation. Not only do we consider Leibniz's work for its contribution to the sciences but also take up Leibniz's lifelong concern for the metaphysical and theological implications of the novae scientiae which had already become irreversibly established in Leibniz's time.

This conference brings together senior and junior researchers to explore topics in Leibniz's work in geometry, physics, astronomy, biology, microscopy, scientific methodology and its metaphysical and theological consequences.

Organized by the Department of Philosophy, Università degli Studi di Milano, in conjunction with Sodalitas Leibnitiana.

§§§

Schedule

Friday 7th October                  

13:00-14:00       Stefano Di Bella | Milan

"Concordia scientiae cum pietate": Leibnizian models for the relationship between natural science and theology

14:00-15:00       Federico Silvestri | Milan

The structure of scientific hypothesis in Leibniz's natural history

15:15-16:15       Mattia Brancato | Milan

Logical coherence in Leibniz's scientific education         

16:15-17:15       Valérie Debuiche | Aix-en-Provence

Reflections on Leibniz's Perspective Geometry

17:30-18:30       Vincenzo De Risi | Berlin/Leipzig

Leibniz on Continuity in Geometry        

Saturday 8th October              

09:00-10:00       Alessandro Becchi | Pisa

Metaphysics with Magnifying Glasses: Some remarks on Leibniz's interest for microscopy

10:00-11:00       Justin E. H. Smith | Paris

Leibnizian Nominalism and the Problem of Biological Species

11:15-12:15       Enrico Pasini | Turin

Medicine and the natural sciences in Leibniz

14:00-15:00       Laurence Bouquiaux | Liège

Leibniz and the relativity of motion

15:00-16:00       Paolo Bussotti | Udine   

The influence of Kepler on Leibniz's planetary theory    

16:15-17:15       Gianfranco Mormino | Milan

Leibniz's rejection of atomism  

17:15-18:15       Tzuchien Tho | Milan

The physics of continuity and the dynamics of elasticity?