the idea of harmonizing all this radical thought

[Geralt of Rivia]

It was during this period that Leibniz first came across the writings of such celebrated lawyers as Galileo, Descartes, and Hobbes, who were
revolutionizing scientific, philosophical, and political thought. Characteristically, Leibniz soon conceived the idea of harmonizing all this radical thought with the Scholasticism that it was in the process of replacing.

Philosophy in an Hour, Paul Strathern

I don't get the meaning of the red part. Can you help me out on this one?

 

[McSpear]

Re: Replace

This means that Leibniz acknowledged the idea of allowing his radical thought to exist together,equally with the Scholasticism(Which is the system of Theology and philosophy) that was being replaced by his radical thoughts.

 

[Rover_KE]

I have changed your thread title.

'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'
(Posting Guidelines)

 

[Rover_KE]

McSpear, please correct the information in your profile.

In another thread you say you are a ninth grade student. This does not entitle you to call yourself a 'Retired Academic'.

 

[Geralt of Rivia]

So his possibly right answer was deleted. Maybe I could use your help then.

 

[Rover_KE]

I have undeleted his post for your consideration. I understood neither the question nor the answer.

 

[Tdol]

Characteristically, Leibniz soon conceived the idea of harmonizing all this radical thought with the Scholasticism that it was in the process of replacing.

He wanted to bring the science and theology of the time together, though the science was replacing some of the Scholastic thought. He was looking for co-existence rather than replacement.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It was during this period that Leibniz first came across the writings of such celebrated lawyers as Galileo, Descartes, and Hobbes, who were
revolutionizing scientific, philosophical, and political thought. Characteristically, Leibniz soon conceived the idea of harmonizing all this radical thought with the Scholasticism that it was in the process of replacing.

Philosophy in an Hour, Paul Strathern

I don't get the meaning of the red part. Can you help me out on this one?

"Characteristically" means that it was typical of Leibniz.

"Conceived the idea" means "thought of," "came up with."

Here, "harmonizing" means making it fit, making it congruent, making it mesh. He was

So he was taking the radical thought of those "lawyers" (?!) and making it fit the with the old scholasticism, which was becoming less popular.

But if scholasticism was fading away, why would he bother? I'll have to look up Leibniz to find out.