Leibniz’s Discourse on Metaphysics: A New Translation and Commentary

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 it provides a truly scholarly translation for the first time. It includes a clear and informative commentary on this new translation making it suitable for anyone new to Leibniz, as well as more established scholars and teachers. Johns also offers previously unpublished works related to the Discourse including some letters, On the Freedom of Rational Creatures (1686), excerpts from Theodicy and excerpts from Malebranche’s Treatise on Nature and Grace. 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.