Leibniz and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

This article is a loose sequel to a previous article Leibniz and the First Law of Thermodynamics (Theory of Science 46(1):89–114, 2024). But this time I analyze in detail the modern debate between Leibniz, Newton, Clarke, and Descartes, anticipating later considerations regarding the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Although Leibniz’s aposteriori proof refuting the Second Law of Thermodynamics turns out to be less convincing than his apriori proof in support of the First Law, both came to be reflected in the formulation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. After all, as Leibniz himself stated, and also demonstrated in the Protogaea, physics can get by without it.