Springer Leibniz on Individuals and Individuation: The Persistence of Premodern Ideas in Modern Philosophy: 3 (Philosophical Studies in Contemporary Culture, 3)

This book achieves a number of scholarly 'firsts': the first account of Leibniz's philosophy on individuals and the principle of individuation; the first exploration of Leibniz's earliest philosophy, its sources in later scholastic philosophy, and the influence of those sources on his mature philosophy; bringing together in one place numerous Latin scholastic and Leibnizian texts, with many translated into English. On the basis of a thorough study of Leibniz's earliest philosophy, a new interpretation of central themes in Leibniz's philosophy is offered. This scholarly investigation demonstrates the persistence of premodern ideas in modern philosophy, calling into question in what sense Leibniz is a 'modern' philosopher and how the 'modern' should be understood in modern philosophy and postmodernism. The intended audience includes historians of modern and later scholastic philosophy, Leibniz scholars, historians of ideas, philosophers with an interest in ontology and metaphysics, and graduate students in philosophy. Review `This work is well written, well organized and to the point. The author argues his points convincingly, but is admirably fair in his treatment of competing views. This book should stand as an example of what good scholarly research and writing can be. It deserves to be read especially by Leibniz scholars, those interested in late medieval philosophy, and students of early modern philosophy. ' The Review of Metaphysics, LI:3 (1998)