Leibniz on Diplomacy and Discernible Art

Abstract

This article discusses Leibniz’s unique blend of aesthetics and diplomacy. While his art extended diplomacy beyond the bounds of political realism, his diplomacy gave occasion to his art. His identity of indiscernibles (objects with the same properties are identical) inspired philosopher Arthur Danto to define contemporary art in terms of a qualitative perceptual division between the world and the Artworld (objects with the same properties may or may not be art). Although Leibniz would have disputed Danto’s bifurcated artistic perspective, Danto vindicates Leibniz’s major contribution to contemporary aesthetic philosophy by defending his belief in the moral foundation of art. Leibniz was not only one of the pre-eminent men of German letters of his time, he also excelled in diplomacy on behalf of the Hanoverian court. His international relations (IR) theory of peace through grand global alliances is only just beginning to be understood, though his aesthetics and correct diplomacy continue to validate individual creativity, liberal freedoms, and universal enlightenment up to this very day.

Keywords:

• Leibniz
• art
• aesthetics
• diplomacy
• IR theory

Danto, “Reply to David Carrier,” 233.

Notes

1. All translations in the article are the author’s.

2. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 2, 329.

3. Danto, “Reply to Gerard Vilar,” 163.

4. Danto, “Reply to Sue Spaid,” 209.

5. Danto, “Learning to Live with Pluralism,” 219.

6. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 1, 46.

7. Guilbaut, “Creation,” 16.

8. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 2, 330.

9. Leibniz, “Leibniz an Henriette Charlotte,” 245.

10. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 2, 331, 330.

11. Ibid.

12. Ibid., vol. 2, 350.

13. Lessing, Werke, 213–14.

14. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 1, 307.

15. Danto, “Reply to Sue Spaid,” 211.

16. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 1, 1–2.

17. Ibid., vol. 2, 157.

18. Ibid., vol. 1, 307.

19. Leibniz, Mit Caroline, 5.

20. Ibid., 4.

21. Ibid., 5.

22. Ibid., 55.

23. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 2, 282.

24. Ibid., vol. 3, 273.

25. Ibid., 274.

26. Ibid., vol. 4, 416.

27. Ibid., vol. 1, 56.

28. Leibniz, “Meditations,” 24.

29. Beiser, Diotima’s Children, 32, 3.

30. Ibid., 34.

31. Baumgarten, Reflections on Poetry, 78.

32. Leibniz, “Principles of Nature and Grace,” 212.

33. Sidney, Defence of Poesy, 105.

34. Leibniz, “Codex Juris Gentium (Praefatio),” 171.

35. Leibniz, Codex Juris Gentium Diplomaticus, 478.

36. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 2, 5–6.

37. Leibniz, “Manifesto,” 157.

38. Leibniz, Mit Der Prinzessin Sophie, vol. 2, 89.

39. Ibid., vol. 1, 3.

40. Babst, “Elective Governments,” 14.

41. Leibniz, “Caesarinus,” 117.

42. Leibniz, “Observations on Abbé de St Pierre,” 184.

43. Singer, “Accounting,” 599.

44. Singer, Explaining, 60.

45. Leibniz, “Memoir for Enlightened Persons,” 105.

46. Singer, “Accounting,” 600.