Leibniz: Discourse on Metaphysics

The Discourse on Metaphysics is one of Leibniz's fundamental works. Written around January 1686, it is the most accomplished systematic expression of Leibniz's philosophy in the 1680s, the period in which Leibniz's philosophy reached maturity. Leibniz's goal in the Discourse is to give a metaphysics for Christianity; that is, to provide the answers that he believes Christians should give to the basic metaphysical questions. Why does the world exist? What is the world like? What kinds of things exist? And what is the place of human beings in the world? To this purpose Leibniz discusses some of the most traditional topics of metaphysics, such as the nature of God, the purpose of God in creating the world, the nature of substance, the possibility of miracles, the nature of our knowledge, free will, and the justice behind salvation and damnation. This volume provides a new translation of the Discourse, complete with a critical introduction and a comprehensive philosophical commentary.

Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra, University of Oxford

Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge. He has taught at the Universities of Edinburgh, Nottingham, and Torcuato Di Tella (Buenos Aires). He is currently Colin Prestige Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Oriel College and holds the title of Professor of Metaphysics at the University of Oxford. He is the author of Resemblance Nominalism (Oxford 2002) and Leibniz's Principle of Identity of Indiscernible (Oxford 2013).