What is it about?
This article discusses G. W. Leibniz's theory of pure or disinterested love in the context of the amour pur-controversy in the French court in late 1690's. I argue that in a 1697 letter to Electress Sophie Leibniz formulates his previous philosophical doctrine of pure love in a theological context, but returned to his earlier version after this.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
The letter to Sophie is the only occasion where Leibniz presents his view in a theological context. This fact has not been discussed in the previous litterature. The article also shows that Leibniz was not satisfied with this formulation and returned to much earlier one in later writings.
Perspectives
The article is interesting not only as a developmental story of Leibniz's views on pure love, but also as a presentation of the pure love controversy in late 1690's France. I find the controversy interesting and it seems that Leibniz was anticipating it although he did not directly affect the controversy.
Dr Markku Roinila
Helsingin Yliopisto
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Leibniz and the Amour Pur Controversy, Journal of Early Modern Studies, January 2013, Philosophy Documentation Center,
DOI: 10.7761/jems.2.2.35.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
