The machine and the body in the transcendental cosmology of Chr. Wolff and Chr. A. Crusius

Abstract

The 18th century philosophy actively used the notion of machine in its extended meaning, especially when describing both the world as a whole and its constituent bodies. Consequently, the initial meaning of that notion underwent peculiar changes: not only an artificial mechanism but also a natural organic body were defined as machines. A metaphysical comprehension of the notion of machine was developed predominantly in the framework of cosmology.

Keywords

• Chr. Wolff
• Chr. A. Crusius
• machine
• world
• physical body (Körper)
• human body (Leib)