What does monadology mean?
Monadology is Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's metaphysical theory of reality. It holds that the universe is composed of infinitely many simple, indivisible substances, or monads. Although monads have no physical extension, each perceives the universe and reflects on it from its own unique perspective. Human beings and other physical objects are not literally made of visible monads; rather, they arise from the coordinated activity of their underlying monads. Leibniz called this coordination the principle of pre-established harmony. Monadology is therefore a highly influential account of metaphysics, mind, perception, and the apparent order of nature. The word is most often encountered in discussions of Leibniz's philosophy, although it may also describe more generally any theory that explains reality through fundamental indivisible units. Its central thought is striking because it combines an atomistic structure of the universe with a claim that the universe is fundamentally interconnected through the perceptions of its constituent entities.
nounMonadology is Leibniz's metaphysical theory that the universe consists of an infinite number of simple, indivisible substances, called monads, each of which perceives and reflects upon the universe from its own perspective. The theory also holds that only monads are genuinely real and that their coordinated pre-established harmony produces the appearance of physical interaction.
- Leibniz's metaphysical doctrine concerning monads, their perceptions, and the pre-established harmony that makes the universe appear coordinated.
- More broadly, a theory treating fundamental indivisible entities, or monads, as the basic constituents of reality.
"The philosopher explained the interconnectedness of minds and bodies through a theory of monadology."
"Leibniz developed monadology as a metaphysical account of substances, minds, and the apparent order of the universe."
"Modern philosophers have revisited monadology when considering questions of consciousness and emergence."
Plural forms are uncommon because the word normally refers to one particular theoretical framework.
"The study compared Leibniz's monadology with other early modern accounts of matter and mind."
Leibniz's monadology imagines reality as countless minds, each carrying its private perspective on the universe while somehow agreeing on a shared world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does monadology come from?
The word is formed from monad, which comes through Latin from Greek monas, meaning 'unit' or 'solitude,' ultimately from monos, 'single' or 'alone.' Leibniz adopted the term in the late 17th century for the simple substances that he regarded as the ultimate elements of created reality. Monadology developed from this terminology and became a name for Leibniz's broader metaphysical system.
Related word forms
How monadology is actually used
The term is chiefly associated with Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and is usually used in the history of philosophy, metaphysics, and the history of science. In its broader use, it can sound deliberately philosophical or archaic.
Easily confused with monadology
A monad is one of the simple substances or minds that make up reality in Leibniz's monadology, whereas monadology is the theory concerning those substances.