Treatise on Metaphysics by Voltaire

In chapter XXV of his Memoirs published in 1826, Longchamp recounts that he was tasked with stoking the fire in which papers recommended by Madame du Châtelet to be burned after her death had been thrown. He managed to save a notebook filled with very small writing, which contained the Treatise on Metaphysics (1734). It was first published in the Kehl editions. “This work is all the more valuable,” said the publishers, “because it was not intended for publication, so the author was able to express his entire thoughts. It contains his true opinions, not just those he believed he could develop without compromising himself. It shows that he was strongly convinced of the existence of a Supreme Being, and even of the immortality of the soul, but without concealing the difficulties that arise against these two opinions, and which no philosopher has yet completely resolved.”

Voltaire offered it to Madame du Châtelet, for whom he had composed it, along with the following quatrain:

The author of the metaphysics
That we bring to your feet
Deserved to be cooked in the public square,
But he only burned for you.

On the Book of an English Anti-Trinitarian, by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s paper on the book of an English anti-Trinitarian, containing considerations on several explanations of the Trinity, was published in the year 1693-4. Leibniz discusses the Trinity and his objections to the concept of three absolute substances, each infinite, eternal, and perfect. He argues that the Sabellian opinion, which considers the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three names for the same being, cannot be reconciled with the passages in the Holy Scriptures. Leibniz also believes that the explanation given by the Socinians is too violent. He proposes that divine honors should only be given to a single individual, absolute, sovereign, and infinite substance. Leibniz acknowledges that the explanation of the mysteries of religion is not necessary, and it would be best to stick to the revealed terms as much as possible. He further discusses the difficulties in explaining what a person is and suggests that there are relations within the divine substance that distinguish the persons. Leibniz believes that there is no example in nature that adequately corresponds to the notion of divine persons, but finds the reflection of spirits to be the most suitable illustration.

Letter on the Question of Whether the Essence of Body Consists in Extension, by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, in a letter written in 1691, discusses whether the essence of body consists solely in extension, as many people believed at the time. He argues that if this were the case, then extension alone would explain all the properties of matter, which is not the case. He believes that there is more to matter than just extension, including the quality of natural inertia. He argues that the notion of substance, action, and force must be added to extension to fully understand the nature of matter. Leibniz believes that this consideration is important not only for understanding the nature of matter but also for recognizing the higher and immaterial principles in physics.

Boethius’s First Commentary on Porphyry’s Isagoge

The commentary is divided into two books, with the first book providing an introduction to the dialogue and the theoretical and practical subdivisions and functions of philosophy. Boethius emphasizes the importance of logical reasoning and grammar in philosophy and explores Porphyry’s approach to the concepts of genera and species, definition, and predication. The second book focuses on the commonalities and distinctive features of genera, difference, species, accident, and property, and provides a detailed analysis of the implications of Porphyry’s work for the study of ontology and logic.

The setting for the commentary is in the Aurelian Mountains, where Boethius and his friend Fabius decided to review the works of the most learned men with some kind of introductory commentaries to shed light on the matters that are most obscure to the intellect. The purpose of the commentary is to provide a detailed analysis and explanation of Porphyry’s Isagoge, and to shed light on the theoretical and practical subdivisions and functions of philosophy.

Before the Death Penalty, by Shusui Kotoku

In Before the Death Penalty (死刑の前, “Shikei no mae”), Shusui Kotoku reflects on life, death, morality, and the death penalty while awaiting his own execution in Tokyo Prison. He discusses how death is inevitable and should not be feared but rather embraced as a natural part of life. He also argues that social value lies in one’s personality, accomplishments, and influence, and that death can be seen as remarkable if one lived and died for a purpose. Kotoku acknowledges that not everyone has the natural endowments for a long life, but that the prime of life is the time to work with all one’s might for something important.

Kotoku also reflects on the death penalty and how its fear and horror stem from the belief that only extremely wicked or guilty people are sentenced to death. He argues that the justification of the death penalty is not important to the individual facing it, and that when it is time to die, one should face it with complete peace of mind and satisfaction. Ultimately, Kotoku suggests that death, whether it be by the death penalty or by natural means, should be accepted with grace and dignity.

Philosophy and Worldview, by Mário Ferreira dos Santos

Philosophy and Worldview, by the Brazilian philosopher Mário Ferreira dos Santos, is an introduction to philosophy, an encyclopedic presentation of philosophical ideas, and an original work of philosophy. The book is didactic, erudite, and profound, and according to the author, one cannot learn philosophy without doing philosophy. The author recognizes the Brazilian people’s intelligence but notes a lack of discipline and a rush for knowledge due to the autodidacticism that is mandatory in the country. He chooses to present philosophy in a way that is considerate of these gaps in knowledge, and uses language that is rigorous but not presumptuous of the reader’s understanding. The book progresses from a simple explanation of philosophical concepts to a more detailed analysis, with the ultimate goal of providing a worldview and methodology for life.

Logical Principles, by Destutt de Tracy

Logical Principles, or, a Comprehensive Collection of Facts and Observations Related to Human Intelligence: Exploring the Fundamentals of Rational Thinking, Reasoning, and Understanding, as Expounded by Mr. DESTUTT de TRACY, Count, Peer of France, Distinguished Member of the Institute of France, and of the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, Published in Paris in 1817 by Mrs. Ve COURCIER, a Respected Printer-Librarian Located in the Picturesque Saint-André-des-Arcs District on Rue du Jardinet.