Discourse on Metaphysics & Other Essays contains complete translations of the two essays that constitute the best introductions to Leibniz's complex thought Discourse on Metaphysics of 1686 & Monadology of 1714 These are supplemented with two essays of special interest to the student of modern philosophy On the Ultimate Origination of Things of 1697 & the Preface to his New Essays of 1703-1705 The translations are taken from Leibniz Philosophical Essays edited & translated by Roger Ariew & Daniel Garber (Hackett 1989)