“Monads are windowless.” Explain.

The statement "Monads are windowless" is a key concept in the philosophy of Leibniz, particularly in his monadology. According to Leibniz, monads are the fundamental metaphysical entities that make up the fabric of reality. The term "windowless" encapsulates a specific characteristic of monads, emphasizing their unique nature and the way in which they interact with the world.

In Leibnizian metaphysics, a monad is an indivisible, simple substance that possesses perceptions. Each monad represents a distinct, self-contained reality with its own set of perceptions that reflect the entire universe from its unique perspective. Now, the idea of monads being "windowless" conveys that monads do not have direct, causal interactions or windows into each other's inner workings.

The windowlessness of monads implies that they are isolated and self-sufficient entities, with no direct access to or influence over the internal states of other monads. While monads have perceptions that mirror the entire universe, this mirroring is not a result of direct observation or interaction with other monads. Instead, each monad's perceptions arise from its internal nature and are pre-established in a harmonious, preordained way by God.

Leibniz envisions monads as metaphysical points of view, each reflecting the entire universe from its own unique standpoint without directly perceiving or affecting the internal states of other monads. This concept aligns with Leibniz's emphasis on the pre-established harmony orchestrated by God, ensuring that the perceptions of each monad harmonize with the perceptions of all other monads.

In summary, the notion that "Monads are windowless" captures Leibniz's idea that monads are self-contained, isolated entities with no direct causal connections to one another. Each monad perceives the entire universe from its unique perspective without having windows or direct access into the internal states of other monads. This characteristic is foundational to Leibniz's intricate metaphysical system, highlighting the autonomy and self-sufficiency of each monad in reflecting the vast interconnectedness of the universe.