The Cambridge Companion to Leibniz

by Nicholas Jolley

Overview

A remarkable thinker, Gottfried Leibniz made fundamental contributions not only to philosophy, but also to the development of modern mathematics and science. At the center of Leibniz's philosophy stands his metaphysics, an ambitious attempt to discover the nature of reality through the use of unaided reason. This volume provides a systematic and comprehensive account of the full range of Leibniz's thought, exploring the metaphysics in detail and showing its subtle and complex relationship to his views on logic, language, physics, and theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521365888
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/25/1994
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Philosophy
Pages:	516
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.29(h) x 1.38(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Nicholas Jolley; 2. G. W. Leibniz, life and works Roger Ariew; 3. The seventeenth-century intellectual background Stuart Brown; 4. Metaphysics: the early period to the Discourse on Metaphysics Christia Mercer and R. C. Sleigh Jr; 5. Metaphysics: the late period Donald Rutherford; 6. The theory of knowledge Robert McRae; 7. Philosophy and logic G. H. R. Parkinson; 8. Philosophy and Language in Leibniz Donald Rutherford; 9. Leibniz: physics and philosophy Daniel Garber; 10. Leibniz's ontological and cosmological arguments David Blumenfeld; 11. Perfection and happiness in the best possible world David Blumenfeld; 12. Leibniz's moral philosophy Gregory Brown; 13. The reception of Leibniz in the eighteenth century Catherine Wilson.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"...[this book] will prove to be a valuable compendium for the student of Leibniz who wishes to refresh her recollection of central themes in Leibniz or to acquaint herself with new developments in Leibniz scholarship." Auslegung

"This is a book Leibniz buffs can curl up with and one in which novices can find their bearings." Cabadian Philosophical Reviews

"Students of seventeenth-century history of science must get this book for their libraries. It is the single best conspectus of recent developments in the interpretation of Leibniz available." George Gale, Isis Book Reviews

"I have been able to write about only a little of the wealth that this volume offers us. It should be one of the first books to which philosophers and students turn for help in understanding Leibniz." The Philosophical Review

"As with the previous volumes in the Cambridge "Companion" series, this one conforms to the highest standards of research and scholarships....the essays are accessible to anyone with an interest in discovering the richness of Leibniz's philosophy. This collection provides valuable insights for the person newly acquainted with Leibniz, controversial new interpretations for those who are already familiar with the canon." Choice

Editorial Reviews

"...[this book] will prove to be a valuable compendium for the student of Leibniz who wishes to refresh her recollection of central themes in Leibniz or to acquaint herself with new developments in Leibniz scholarship." Auslegung

"This is a book Leibniz buffs can curl up with and one in which novices can find their bearings." Cabadian Philosophical Reviews

"Students of seventeenth-century history of science must get this book for their libraries. It is the single best conspectus of recent developments in the interpretation of Leibniz available." George Gale, Isis Book Reviews

"I have been able to write about only a little of the wealth that this volume offers us. It should be one of the first books to which philosophers and students turn for help in understanding Leibniz." The Philosophical Review

"As with the previous volumes in the Cambridge "Companion" series, this one conforms to the highest standards of research and scholarships....the essays are accessible to anyone with an interest in discovering the richness of Leibniz's philosophy. This collection provides valuable insights for the person newly acquainted with Leibniz, controversial new interpretations for those who are already familiar with the canon." Choice

From the Publisher