Leibniz and the Two Sophies : The Philosophical Correspondence

"Leibniz and the Two Sophies" is a critical edition of the philosophical correspondence between the seventeenth-century philosopher, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and his two royal patronesses, Electress Sophie of Hanover and her daughter, Queen Sophie Charlotte of Prussia. In his letters, Leibniz expounds upon such subjects as the nature and operation of the mind, innate knowledge, the afterlife, ethics, and human nature. The letters of Sophie and Sophie Charlotte contain their only known philosophical writings, which offer valuable insight into their views and characters. Carefully translated from the original manuscripts in the Hanover archives, this volume presents the first English translation of all the philosophically important material from the two correspondences. The volume offers extensive annotations, deletions, and marginalia from Leibniz's various drafts. It also includes an introductory essay that provides context for the correspondence and analyzes its main philosophical themes. Lloyd Strickland teaches philosophy at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, having previously taught philosophy at Lancaster University, and the University of Central Lancashire.