Discourse on Metaphysics, Correspondence with Arnauld, and Monadology

by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Publishers:

Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co.; Open Court

, 1902

Overview

Discourse on Metaphysics, Correspondence with Arnauld, and Monadology contains Leibniz’s most important philosophical works. In Discourse on Metaphysics, Leibniz looks at the nature of physical substance, motion, and God’s place in the universe. He argues that God is an absolutely perfect being; that, while God is good, goodness and God are separate things; and that, all things considered, God created the best world possible. The correspondence with Arnauld is a series of letters between Leibniz and the French Roman Catholic theologian Antoine Arnauld, discussing similar topics as Discourse. In Monadology, Leibniz attacks the Cartesian assertion that mind and body are two separate substances that communicate with each other. Leibniz argued that the whole universe is made of many little substances called monads. The monads are programmed to act in certain ways, and the actions of each monad are coordinated with the actions of all the other monads. This gives the impression of communication between substances when actually it is just a pre-established harmony.

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Key Features

• Provides a thorough introduction to the work of Leibniz
• Discusses the way that the philosophy of Descartes and Leibniz compliment each other
• Includes an overview of philosophical thought at the time this volume was written

Product Details

• Title: Discourse on Metaphysics, Correspondence with Arnauld, and Monadology
• Author: Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz
• Translator: George R. Montgomery
• Publisher: The Open Court Publishing Company
• Publication Date: 1902
• Pages: 272
• Resource Type: Collected Works
• Topic: Modern Philosophy

About Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (sometimes von Leibniz) (July 1, 1646 – November 14, 1716) was a German philosopher and mathematician. He wrote in multiple languages, primarily in Latin (

40%), French (

30%) and German (

15%). Leibniz occupies a prominent place in the history of mathematics and the history of philosophy. He developed the infinitesimal calculus independently of Isaac Newton, and Leibniz’s mathematical notation has been widely used ever since it was published.