Leibniz: Philosophical Papers, 1677–1686 Religion and Theology

This volume brings together 52 of Leibniz's writings on religion and theology, including the book­length Examination of the Christian Religion, in which he defends the Roman Catholic position on various matters of controversy, despite being a lifelong Lutheran himself. Also included are the complete texts from an unfinished project, Apology for Catholic Truth, in which Leibniz writes in the guise of a Catholic. Other writings reflect several of Leibniz's long­term projects: constructing a philosophical defence of Christianity to show the compatibility of its doctrines with reason; undermining philosophies he believed could lead to atheism, in particular those of Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza; and developing methods for resolving theological disputes.

This collection traces the evolution of these projects during Leibniz's formative first decade in Hanover (1677–1686), offering the most comprehensive English-language selection of such writings to date. Strickland has returned to Leibniz's original manuscripts to produce accurate, carefully annotated translations that document textual variations, deletions, and marginalia. Of the 52 texts included, 29 appear in English for the first time, one has never been published in any language, and another has only been partially published in its original form.

In addition to the translations, the volume features a substantial introductory essay on Leibniz's life, work, and writings on religion and theology from 1677 to 1686, along with detailed explanatory notes on each text, providing context, background, and the rationale for their dating.

Lloyd Strickland, Professor of Philosophy and Intellectual History, Manchester Metropolitan University

Lloyd Strickland is Professor of Philosophy and Intellectual History at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). His research focuses on the history of western philosophy, especially the thought and reception of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, on which he had published many journal articles and numerous books, including Leibniz on Binary: The Invention of Computer Arithmetic (MIT Press, 2022, with Harry Lewis), Leibniz's Key Philosophical Writings: A Guide (Oxford University Press, 2020, with Paul Lodge), Leibniz's Legacy and Impact (Routledge, 2019, with Julia Weckend), and Leibniz's Monadology (Edinburgh University Press, 2014).

AbbreviationsIntroduction1. Leibniz's Life2. Leibniz's Writings3. Overview: Religion and Theology4. About the Volumes, Selections of Texts, Apparatus and Typographical ConventionsReligion and Theology1. Summary Explanation of Revelation2. Consideration of the Strongest Passages Which Are Adduced from Holy Scripture and the Holy Fathers in Favour of Purgatory3. On the Breaking of Ecclesiastical Communion4. On the Obligation to Believe5. Civil and Sacred Controversies6. On General Sacred Controversies7. Remarks on Steno's Conversion8. On Controversies9. The Judge of Controversies10. Various Definitions of the Church11. What Is it to Be or Not to Be in the Roman Church?12. On the Worship of the Saints13. Demonstration that the Host Should Not Be Adored14. There is Only One God15. Preface to a Planned Latin Translation of Bossuet's Exposition of the Catholic Faith16. Dialogue Between a Theologian and a Misosophist17. Dialogue Between Poliander and Theophile18. Conversation Between the Marquis of Pianezza, Minister of State of Savoy, and Father Emery, a Hermit19. Dialogue Between an Able Politician and an Ecclesiastic of Recognized Piety20. Dialogue Between Theophile and Polidore21. On Scripture, the Church, and the Trinity22. On the Triune God23. On the Person of Christ24. The Physical Origin of Circumcision25. Opinion on the Nature and Power of the Catholic Church26. Reflections on the Change of External Profession of Religion and What Should Be Proved by Protestants who Refuse to Return to the Roman Church, if in Good Conscience They Prefer to Remain in Separation27. On Attending to the Salvation of the Soul28. On Not Violating the Principle of Contradiction in Divine Matters29. On the Trinity30. Account of the Exploits of the Bishop of Tina in Hanover in 1683 and the Ill-will that Was Unjustly Stirred Up Among the Saxons as a Result31. Protestant Complaints about Roman Catholic Dogmas and Practices32. The Proper Starting Point of Our Faith (May - June 1685 (?))33. On the Unity of the Church (May - June 1685 (?))34. Brief Preparatory Remarks in Relation to Apologetic Works (May - June 1685 (?))35. Apology for the Catholic Faith Based on Right Reason (May - June 1685 (?))36. Rationale of the Catholic Faith Against Sects of All Kinds (May - June 1685 (?))37. Specimen of Catholic Demonstrations, or, Apology for the Faith Based on Reason (May - June 1685 (?))38. Discussion about an Apology for Catholic Truth39. On Attempting an Apology for Catholic Truth40. The Authority of the Church41. On the Catholic Church42. Thoughts about the Disagreement Between Protestants and Eastern Churches43. The One Catholic Church44. On the Commandment of Love, Schism, and the Principles of the Church45. Apology for Catholic Truth46. On Schism, Catholic Faith, and the Catholic Church47. Rationale of the Catholic Faith48. Theses49. On God and the Church50. Theological Propositions51. Examination of the Christian Religion52. On the Religion of Great MenBibliographyIndex