International symposium
Cognition and Interpretation

Institute of philosophy,
Zagreb, October 10-11, 2003

Luka Boršić
Leibniz’s interpretation of Nizolius’ book De veris principiis et de vera
ratione philosophandi contra pseudophilosophos

In my paper I am exploring young Leibniz’s interpretation and critique of Marius Nizolius’ De veris principiis et de vera ratione philosophandi contra pseudophilosophos. My paper has the following structure: In the first part I will present some general principles of Nizolius’ philosophy.
Then I will explore his attempt to eliminate universals by replacing them with multitudines as an example of his plan to dissolve metaphysics. In the second part I will discuss Leibniz’s critique of Nizolius’s dealing with universals as he presents it in the Preface to his reprint of Nizolius’ book.
The conclusion will be a comparison between young Leibniz’s understanding of “nominalist metaphysics” as contrasted with Nizolius’.