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.

"In his introduction, Lloyd Strickland proposes that Sophie, Electress of Hanover, and her daughter, Queen Sophie Charlotte of Prussia, found consolation in the idea of divine justice. Too long themselves unfairly dismissed as philosophical lightweights, proper justice may now be given to their views through this edition of their private correspondences with Leibniz. Appearing for the first time in English translation, the philosophical selections cover topics from the nature of substance to universal salvation and evidence the independence of the women's thought as they defend materialism and challenge Leibniz's conviction that God created the best possible world. The edition also boasts copious and highly informative editorial notes. It is a most welcome addition to The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe: Toronto series."

-Pauline Phemister, Reader in Philosophy, Deputy Director, Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Edinburgh

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. His research mainly focuses on Early Modern European Philosophy, in which he has published two books—Leibniz Reinterpreted (Continuum, 2006) and Shorter Leibniz Texts (Continuum, 2006)—as well as a number of articles, and the Philosophy of Religion (both contemporary and historical), in which he has published several articles. He also runs a website ("Leibniz Translations") which contains many of his translations of Leibniz's writings: http://www.leibniz-translations.com.

REVIEWS
Early Modern Women 8 (2013): 396–399. Reviewed by Barbara Becker-Cantarino.
Journal of the History of Philosophy 50.4 (2012): 617–618. Reviewed by Edward W. Glowienka.