Gottfried Leibniz has been one of the most important and influential philosophers of the seventeenth century and, alongside Descartes and Spinoza, one of three great early modern Rationalist thinkers. Covering all the key concepts of his work, Starting with Leibniz provides an accessible introduction to the ideas of this hugely significant thinker. Thematically structured, the book leads the reader through a thorough overview of Leibniz's thought, resulting in a more complete understanding of the roots of his philosophical concerns.Offering coverage of the full range of Leibniz's philosophical ideas, the book explores hiswork on substance, mind, body, matter, dynamics and the philosophy of science, God, free will. Crucially the book introduces the major influences on Leibniz's thought, including Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and Malebranche. This is the ideal introduction for anyone coming to the work of this important thinker for the first time.