Gottfried Leibniz is remembered as a metaphysical Pollyanna, thanks to Voltaire's caricature -- the hapless Dr. Pangloss, who insists that all is for the best, even as he is afflicted with syphilis, ...

The Courtier and the Heretic: Leibniz, Spinoza and the Fate of God in the Modern World by Matthew Stewart 351pp, Yale University Press, £16.95 Now that we know that George W Bush's favourite ...

When Albert Einstein was asked if he believed in God, the great 20th century scientist reached back to a 17th century philosopher for an answer. "I believe," said Einstein, "in Spinoza's God." Baruch ...

The beguiling Dutch philosopher’s life and work is prone to misunderstandings and misreadings. A recent biography goes so far as to recruit him into the culture war. Ad Policy A portrait of Benedict ...

For our first event in 2006, independent scholar Matthew Stewart discussed his new book, The Courtier and the Heretic: Leibniz, Spinoza, and the Fate of God in the Modern World. Stewart’s book ...

According to Nietzsche, "Every great philosophy is... a personal confession of its creator and a kind of involuntary and unperceived memoir.". Stewart affirms this maxim in his colorful ...

The Hague, November 1676 -- Bento -- Gottfried -- A life of the mind -- God's attorney -- The hero of the people -- The many faces of Leibniz -- Friends of friends -- Leibniz in love -- A secret ...