Young Leibniz’s labyrinth of the continuum and the paradox of Achilles and the tortoise

Abstract

In this paper we will consider young Leibniz’s (1671-1676) developments regarding the labyrinth of the continuum. We intend to determinate the way in which Leibniz’s solution of Zeno’s paradox known as Achilles and the tortoise can be understood. In order to do this, after presenting the paradoxes, we will point out the general structure of the solution and three great moments of its application, which are structured in the texts: Theoria motus abstracti (1671), De minimo et maximo (1673) and the dialogue Pacidius Philalethi (1676)