Philosophical Essays [Paperback]

G. W. Leibniz (Author), Roger Ariew (Translator), Daniel Garber (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0872200620 | ISBN-13: 978-0872200623 | Publication Date: March 1, 1989

Although Leibniz's writing forms an enormous corpus, no single work stands as a cannonical expression of his whole philosophy. In addition, the wide range of Leibniz's work - letters, published papers, and fragments on a variety of philosophical, religious, mathematical, and scientific questions over a fifty-year period - heightens the challenge of preparing an edition of his writings in English translation from the French and Latin.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French, Latin (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Publishing Company (March 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872200620
• ISBN-13: 978-0872200623
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great working translation of key works., October 16, 2005

By 

Mark Thomas (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philosophical Essays (Paperback)

Hackett offers once again an inexpensive translation in lucid prose. This volume features the important shorter works of Leibniz's corpus, including the "Monadology," and "Discourse on Metaphysics," together with Leibniz's correspondence with his contemporaries. Each of the works is prefaced by a short introduction, helpful for placing it in context. Editorial footnotes helpfully point out the nuance of Leibniz's language. Overall, great working translation for philosophical study or research.

26 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A necessary compendium of a formidable oeuvre, May 6, 2000

By 

"tksc" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophical Essays (Paperback)

The greatness of Leibniz is undermined by the vastness of his oeuvre. It stands of no single definitive works. Like the monads that he espoused, Leibniz's writings are here, there and everywhere, each bit mirroring the whole--the universe that Leibniz envisioned. Short of an encyclopedia of Leibniz's oeuvre, this book can serve as a nearly-comprehensive collection of the 'goods.' The major pieces are kept in their entirety. Included with the likes of 'Discourse on Metaphysics,' 'New System,' 'Specimen of Dynamics,' and 'The Monadology' are formidable chunks of Leibniz's letters and occasional pieces.

To do justice to Leibniz is to immerse oneself in this great labrynth of thought. Perhaps one day a Renaissance of Leibnizian studies will flourish on the account of this collection.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leibniz Was The Codiscoverer of Calculus, July 2, 2011

By 

Southern Jameson West (Taiwan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophical Essays (Hardcover)

Dear Readers

Despite what you might read to the contrary Leibniz independently discovered Calculus.That is discovered it independently of Sir Issac Newton. Not as some would have it Pierre Fermat. Fermat did other things.

This is to correct an error on P.35 of Sylvia Nasar's book, "A Beautiful Mind" where it says Fermat was the codiscovererof Calculus.

If you don't believe me check out Bertrand Russell's, "A History of Western Philosophy".

In fact, it is his (Leibniz's) notation we use to teach the children Calculus in University today. see ref Courant Vol. One

Best Regards

Southern Jameson West