Philosophical Essays (Paperback)

~ Freiherr von Leibniz Gottfried Wilhelm (Author), G.W. Leibniz (Author)
Key Phrases: apologetic dissertation, harmonic circulation, preliminary specimen, Acta Eruditorum, New Essays, Specimen of Dynamics (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French, Latin (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 366 pages
• Publisher: Hackett Publishing Company (March 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: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #121,374 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	"tksc" (NY USA) - See all my reviews

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.

9 of 9 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)

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.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful, flawed, December 23, 2002

By	Jonathan Bennett (Bowen Island, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

Garber and Ariew did us a great service in pulling these materials together in a single inexpensive volume in English. Their choices for inclusion are terrific. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for their translations. Especially in the translations from French there are dozens of errors, many of them fairly serious. If you would like a list of them - or of the ones I have noticed