Leibniz and China: Religion, Hermeneutics, and Enlightenment

Résumé En

Leibniz's engagement with China is informed by his use of the principles of charity and understanding better. Leibniz defines justice as the "charity of the wise," and uses this principle not only in his practical philosophy but to interpret the statements of others in such a way as to maximize their coherence and meaning and minimize undue suspicion. Appealing to the example of St. Paul, Leibniz uses the principle of charity to critically interpret Chinese beliefs as consistent with natural theology and even "true Christianity." He rejected the suspicion of authors such as Malebranche who interpreted the Chinese as immoral, irrational, and irreligious. The second principle of "understanding better" is based on the early church fathers' reinterpretation of Hebrew and Greek texts as revealing Christian truths. The maxim of "understanding the author better than he understood himself" seems to coincide with the principle of charity. Yet, even though it can be said to preserve truth and maximize agreement, it threatens to transform charity toward others into assimilation to oneself.