Philosophical Papers and Letters: A SelectionThe selections contained in these volumes from the papers and letters of Leibniz are intended to serve the student in two ways: first, by providing a more adequate and balanced conception of the full range and penetration of Leibniz's creative intellectual powers; second, by inviting a fresher approach to his intellectual growth and a clearer perception of the internal strains in his thinking, through a chronological arrangement. Much confusion has arisen in the past through a neglect of the develop ment of Leibniz's ideas, and Couturat's impressive plea, in his edition of the Opuscu/es et fragments (p. xii), for such an arrangement is valid even for incomplete editions. The beginning student will do well, however, to read the maturer writings of Parts II, III, and IV first, leaving Part I, from a period too largely neglected by Leibniz criticism, for a later study of the still obscure sources and motives of his thought. The Introduction aims primarily to provide cultural orientation and an exposition of the structure and the underlying assumptions of the philosophical system rather than a critical evaluation. I hope that together with the notes and the Index, it will provide those aids to the understanding which the originality of Leibniz's scientific, ethical, and metaphysical efforts deserve. |
Contents
Psychology | 1 |
Structure and Purpose | 44 |
Leibnizs Consistency and Influence | 54 |
Bibliography | 60 |
A New Method for Learning and Teaching Jurisprudence 1667 Selections | 85 |
Letter to Jacob Thomasius 1669 | 93 |
Letter to Thomas Hobbes 1670 | 105 |
Preface to an Edition of Nizolius 1670 Selections | 121 |
Letter of Mr Leibniz on a General Principle Useful in Explaining the Laws of Nature through a Consideration of the Divine Wisdom to Serve as a Re... | 351 |
Introduction to Parts III and IV | 355 |
HANOVER TO THE DEATH OF ERNEST AUGUST 169098 | 357 |
Letter to Arnauld 1690 | 359 |
On the Method of Distinguishing Real from Imaginary Phenomena | 363 |
On the True Theologia Mystica ca 1690? | 367 |
A Study in the Logical Calculus | 371 |
Critical Thoughts on the General Part of the Principles of Descartes 1692 | 383 |
Elements of Natural Law 167071 | 131 |
Studies in Physics and the Nature of Body 1671 | 139 |
An Example of Demonstrations about the Nature of Corporeal Things Drawn from Phenomena | 142 |
Letter to Magnus Wedderkopf 1671 | 146 |
Letter to Antoine Arnauld 1671 Selection | 148 |
Letter to Simon Foucher with Notes on Fouchers Reply to Des Gabets 1675 | 151 |
Selections from the Paris Notes 1676 | 157 |
Letter to Henry Oldenburg 1675 | 165 |
Two Notations for Discussion with Spinoza 1676 | 167 |
HANOVER TO THE ITALIAN JOURNEY 167687 | 171 |
On a Method of Arriving at a True Analysis of Bodies and the Causes of Natural Things 1677 | 173 |
Letter to Arnold Eckhard 1677 | 177 |
Dialogue 1677 | 182 |
Letter to Herman Conring 1678 | 186 |
Letter to Walter von Tschirnhaus 1678 | 192 |
On the Ethics of Benedict de Spinoza 1678 | 196 |
What is an Idea? 1678 | 207 |
Letters to Nicolas Malebranche 1679 Selections | 209 |
Two Dialogues on Religion ca 1678 Selections | 213 |
Dialogue between Polidore and Theophile | 216 |
On the General Characteristic ca 1679 | 221 |
On Universal Synthesis and Analysis or the Art of Discovery and Judgment 1679? | 229 |
Two Studies in the Logical Calculus 1679 | 235 |
Specimen of Universal Calculus | 240 |
Studies in a Geometry of Situation 1679 | 248 |
Supplement | 249 |
On Analysis Situs | 257 |
Letter to John Frederick Duke of BrunswickHanover 1679 | 259 |
On Freedom ca 1679 | 263 |
First Truths ca 168084 | 267 |
Selections from Leibnizs Correspondence 167984 | 272 |
To Philipp 1680 | 273 |
To Veit Ludwig von Seckendorf 1683 | 275 |
On the Elements of Natural Science ca 168284 | 277 |
An Introduction on the Value and Method of Natural Science | 280 |
Meditations on Knowledge Truth and Ideas 1684 | 291 |
A Brief Demonstration of a Notable Error of Descartes and Others Con cerning a Natural Law 1686 | 296 |
Discourse on Metaphysics 1686 | 303 |
Correspondence with Arnauld 168687 Selections | 331 |
On Part II | 391 |
Correspondence with Huygens 169294 Selections | 413 |
From the Ethical and Legal Writings 16931700 | 421 |
From the Preface to the Mantissa Codicis Juris Gentium | 424 |
On Wisdom | 425 |
On Natural Law | 428 |
A Classification of Societies or Communities | 429 |
On the Correction of Metaphysics and the Concept of Substance 1694 | 432 |
Specimen Dynamicum 1695 | 435 |
A New System of the Nature and the Communication of Substances as well as the Union between the Soul and the Body 1695 | 453 |
Second Explanation of the New System 1696 | 459 |
Letter to Gabriel Wagner on the Value of Logic 1696 | 462 |
Letters to Des Billettes 169697 | 472 |
An Anagogical Essay in the Investigation of Causes ca 1696 | 477 |
On the Radical Origination of Things 1697 | 486 |
Clarification of the Difficulties which Mr Bayle has found in the New System of the Union of Soul and Body 1698 | 492 |
On Nature Itself or on the Inherent Force and Actions of Created Things 1698 | 498 |
HANOVER UNDER GEORGE LOUIS 16981716 | 509 |
Correspondence with John Bernoulli 169899 | 511 |
Correspondence with De Volder 16991706 | 515 |
Letter to Varignon with a Note on the Justification of the Infinitesimal Calculus by That of Ordinary Algebra 1702 | 542 |
Justification of the Infinitesimal Calculus by That of Ordinary Algebra | 545 |
On What is Independent of Sense and of Matter 1702 | 547 |
Reflections on the Doctrine of a Single Universal Spirit 1702 | 554 |
Reflections on the Common Concept of Justice 1702? | 561 |
Reply to the Thoughts on the System of PreEstablished Harmony contained in the Second Edition of Mr Bayles Critical Dictionary Article Rorarius | 574 |
Considerations on Vital Principles and Plastic Natures by the Author of the System of PreEstablished Harmony 1705 | 586 |
Letter to Hansch on the Platonic Philosophy or on Platonic Enthusiasm 1707 | 592 |
Correspondence with Des Bosses 170915 | 596 |
Conversation of Philarète and Ariste following a Conversation of Ariste and Theodore ca 1711 | 618 |
Remarks on the three Volumes Entitled Characteristics of Men Manners Opinions Times 1711 1712 | 629 |
The Principles of Nature and of Grace based on Reason 1714 | 636 |
The Monadology 1714 | 643 |
Letters to Nicolas Remond 171415 | 654 |
Letters to Louis Bourguet 171415 | 661 |
The Metaphysical Foundations of Mathematics after 1714 | 666 |
The Controversy between Leibniz and Clarke 171516 | 675 |
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Common terms and phrases
absolute Acta eruditorum action admit analysis animal argument arise Aristotle assume atoms attributes believe body calculus called Cartesians cause conatus conceived concept consists contains continuous contrary corporeal substance correspondence definition demonstration Descartes determined distinct divine doctrine dynamicum entelechy Epicurus equal essence eternal everything example existence explained express extension figure follows force geometry given Hanover happens harmony Hence hypothesis ideas individual infinite infinity involves John Bernoulli Kabitz kind knowledge Leibniz letter logic magnitude Malebranche mathematical matter means mechanical merely metaphysical mind Monadology monads moved nature necessary opinion particular perceive perception perfect phenomena philosophers physical Plato possible pre-established harmony predicate principle proposition prove qualities reason relation reply rest Rorarius Scholastics Scholium seems sense simple soul space Spinoza spirit straight line substance substantial form Theodicy things thought true truth understand unity universal velocity whole wisdom