Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
We live in the best of all possible worlds.
Nova methodus pro maximis et minimis
A Latin article in the Acta Eruditorum: the first publication of the differential calculus. It sparked a long priority dispute with Newton. Not in our corpus.
Discourse on Metaphysics essential
He sent only the summaries to Arnauld. The full text stayed among his papers and was only published in 1846.
New System of Nature and of the Communication of Substances
Published in the Journal des savants: the first public presentation of the pre-established harmony. Not yet in our corpus.
On the Ultimate Origination of Things
A short Latin essay on the ultimate reason of the world. Published in 1840.
New Essays on Human Understanding essential
A dialogue answering Locke's Essay book by book (Philalethes speaks for Locke, Theophilus for Leibniz). Locke died in 1704 and Leibniz gave up publishing: printed in 1765.
Theodicy essential
The only book of philosophy he published in his lifetime, in French, in reply to Pierre Bayle: the goodness of God, human freedom and the origin of evil.
Monadology essential
A summary of his whole system in 90 paragraphs, written in French in Vienna. Untitled: "Monadology" is the editors' title. French original published in 1840.
Principles of Nature and Grace, Based on Reason
Written the same year as the Monadology, and more accessible. Published in 1718, two years after his death.
Correspondence with Clarke
A debate by letter with Samuel Clarke, Newton's spokesman, on space, time and God. Cut short by his death, published by Clarke in 1717. Not yet in our corpus.