82. Prize Task of the Berlin Academy of Sciences on “Leibniz”

The Berlin Academy of Sciences has set a prize task: "A presentation of Leibniz's system, which goes far beyond previous presentations in a penetrating analysis of the basic ideas and their context, as well as in tracing their sources and gradual development, etc." - is the subject. The good man who will solve this "contemporary" topic to the satisfaction of the gentlemen from the Berlin Academy is to receive 5000 marks. I declare from the outset: I have all due respect for scholarly work; but if such a body today has 5,000 marks to spare for the presentation of a system of thought that no longer concerns us at all, then I cannot help but express my amazement at this * See note, page 589. 68. Even if Leibniz is the founder of the Berlin Academy, he himself would not approve of awarding a prize today for his system of thought. We really do have more important things to do. Our current science presents us with necessary problems. And the Berlin Academy finds it appropriate to award a prize for a subject that could easily be left to an enthusiast. The solution to this question would still come at the right moment. When will the time come when learned bodies will also learn to put their energies at the service of the times?