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Leibniz's Discourse on Metaphysics: A New Translation and Commentary
Written in 1686, Discourse on Metaphysics is one of the most important and widely published works in the history of philosophy. This translation and commentary by Christopher Johns has much new to offer. Based extensively on the Akademie edition this is the first truly scholarly translation. Also included is historical and philosophical context, detailing Leibniz’s activities during 1685 and 1686, and several letters previously unpublished in English. These letters and texts illuminate important themes found in the Discourse and shed light on the intellectual context of the time which will be of particular interest to scholars and teachers of Leibniz.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2023
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September 2, 2024
Since no one has reviewed or rated this yet, i might as well write a short comment. Christopher Johns' point by point commentary is well worth the read for those not yet well read in 17th century philosophy (like me). The commentary offers ample and needed context on all the ideas of the Discourse and elaborates on the links between Leibniz and his contemporaries: Arnauld, Malebranche, Spinoza, Descartes, Locke... as well as older thinkers like Thomas de Aquinas or Aristotle.
As for Leibniz himself... his metaphysics is outrageously ridiculous on first read, yet, like all good philosophy, it soon becomes self-evident. Hypothetically necessary reading for those interested in Whitehead or Deleuze.
As for Leibniz himself... his metaphysics is outrageously ridiculous on first read, yet, like all good philosophy, it soon becomes self-evident. Hypothetically necessary reading for those interested in Whitehead or Deleuze.
Displaying 1 of 1 review