Leibniz's Discourse on Metaphysics

A fresh translation and in-depth commentary of Leibniz's seminal text Discourse on Metaphysics 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 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and philosophical context, detailing Leibniz's activities during 1685 and 1686 and in several letters previously unpublished in English.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 and will be of particular interest to scholars and teachers of Leibniz. Key features - Represents the first English translation based extensively on the Academie Edition's variant record - Provides in-depth commentary on each of the 37 sections of the Discourse - Includes previously unpublished and untranslated letters from 1685 - Offers historical and biographical context for the work and the author himself - Designed for teachers and students of Early Modern philosophy - Includes a bibliography of primary texts and recommended secondary reading Christopher Johns is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.