Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a 17th-century German philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. He co-developed calculus independently alongside Isaac Newton, introducing ideas about change and motion that are fundamental in mathematics today. Leibniz also made significant contributions to logic, metaphysics, and philosophy, proposing that the universe is made up of simple substances called "monads." His work laid the groundwork for modern logic, computing, and understanding of the nature of reality, emphasizing reason, harmony, and the pursuit of knowledge.