@article {613237,
	title = {Leibniz on Monadic Teleology and Optimal Form},
	journal = {Studia Leibnitiana Sonderhaft, Leibniz and Experience, ed. Arnauld Pelletier},
	year = {2016},
	pages = {93-118},
	abstract = {This essay attempts to bring out the hidden coherence in Leibniz{\textquoteright}s account of monadic teleology by drawing on the notion of an optimal form. The first section introduces Leibniz{\textquoteright}s understanding of an optimal form through his work on the technical problem of determining the shape of catenaries, that is, the shape of freely hanging cords suspended at two ends.\&nbsp; The second section argues that Leibniz{\textquoteright}s notion of an optimal form provides him with a surprisingly elegant model of how monads might be subject to two kinds of teleology at the same time.\&nbsp; The third section considers various ways in which monads may nonetheless pursue courses of action that are sub-optimal and takes up a famous objection raised by Pierre Bayle.\&nbsp; Finally, the fourth section argues that Leibniz{\textquoteright}s notion of an optimal form provides him with a rather ingenious account of the role of reason in the teleological unfolding of rational monads.\&nbsp; The essay concludes with some brief remarks concerning the recently much debated question of whether Leibniz was or was not a systematic philosopher.},
	author = {Jeffrey K. McDonough}
}
