Gottfried Leibniz has been one of the most important and influential philosophers of the seventeenth century and, alongside Descartes and Spinoza, one of three great early modern Rationalist thinkers. Covering all the key concepts of his work, Starting with Leibniz provides an accessible introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker. Thematically structured, the book leads the reader through a thorough overview of Leibniz's thought, resulting in a more complete understanding of the roots of his philosophical concerns.Offering coverage of the full range of Leibniz's philosophical ideas, the book explores hiswork on substance, mind, body, matter, dynamics and the philosophy of science, God, free will. Crucially the book introduces the major influences on Leibniz's thought, including Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and Malebranche. This is the ideal introduction for anyone coming to the work of this important thinker for the first time.

This book introduces student to the three major figures of modern philosophy known as the rationalists. It is not for complete beginners, but it is an accessible account of their thought. By concerning itself with metaphysics, and in particular substance, the book relates an important historical debate largely neglected by the contemporary debates in the once again popular area of traditional metaphysics. in philosophy. (Do Not USE)

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This book introduces student to the three major figures of modern philosophy known as the rationalists. It is not for complete beginners, but it is an accessible account of their thought. By concerning itself with metaphysics, and in particular substance, the book relates an important historical debate largely neglected by the contemporary debates in the once again popular area of traditional metaphysics. in philosophy.

This is the first comprehensive biography of John Locke to be published in nearly a half century. Setting Locke's life within exciting historical and intellectual contexts, which included the English Civil War, religious persecution, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Roger Woolhouse interweaves an account of Locke's life with a summary and development of his ideas in theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, medicine, economics, philosophy of religion, and political philosophy. Systematic and encyclopedic in its coverage, Woolhouse's biography offers both an account and explanation of Locke's ideas, while treating seriously his emotional relationship with Elinor Parry. Based on broad research and many years of study of Locke's philosophy, this volume is an authoritative biography on one of the most significant early modern philosophers.

This is the first comprehensive biography in half a century of John Locke a man of versatile mind, fitted for whatever you shall undertake, as one of his many good friends very aptly described him. Against an exciting historical background of the English Civil War, religious intolerance and bigotry, anti-Government struggles and plots, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Roger Woolhouse interweaves the events of Locke's rather varied life with detailed expositions of his developing ideas in medicine, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and economics. Chronologically systematic in its coverage, this volume offers an account and explanation of Locke's ideas and their reception, while entering at large into the details of his private life of intimate friendships and warm companionship, and of the increasingly visible public life into which, despite himself, he was drawn - Oxford tutor, associate of Shaftesbury, dutiful civil servant. Based on broad research and many years' study of Locke's philosophy, this will be the authoritative biography for years to come of this truly versatile man whose long-standing desire was for quiet residence in his Oxford college engaged in the study and practise of medicine and natural philosophy, yet who, after years in political exile, finally became an over-worked but influential public servant and who is seen now as one of the most significant early modern philosophers. Roger Woolhouse is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of York. He is the author of many journal articles and books on early modern philosophy, including The Empiricists, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and, with R.Francks, Leibniz's New System."

Whether viewed as extreme scepticism or enlightened common sense, the writings of Berkeley are a major influence on modern philosophy. Bishop Berkeley (1685-1753) was one of the great British empirical philosophers. He believed that the existence of material objects depends on their being perceived and The Principles of Human Knowledge sets out this denial of non-mental material reality. At first his views were unfavourably received by the London intelligentsia, and the entertaining Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous are a clarification of the Realist argument and a response to accusations of atheism and scepticism. In the nineteenth century John Stuart Mill wrote that he considered Berkeley's work to be of 'greatest philosophic genius', and it is true to say that its Immaterialism has influenced many recent philosophers.

John Locke (1632-1704), Bertrand Russell once said, 'made a bigger difference to the whole intellectual climate of mankind than anyone had done since Aristotle'.

This title introduces students to the life, work and ideas of Gottfried Leibniz, taking the reader new to the subject through the key themes of his writings. Gottfried Leibniz was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the seventeenth century and, alongside Descartes and Spinoza, one of the three great Rationalist thinkers. Covering all the key concepts of his work, "Starting with Leibniz" provides an accessible introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker. Thematically structured, the book leads the reader through a thorough overview of the development of Leibniz's thought, resulting in a more thorough understanding of the roots of his philosophical concerns. Offering coverage of the full range of Leibniz's ideas, the book explores his work on substance, mind, body, matter, the existence of God, dynamics and the philosophy of science. Crucially the book introduces the major influences on Leibniz's thought, including Aristotle, Plato, Descartes and Spinoza. This is the ideal introduction for anyone coming to the work of this hugely important thinker for the first time.