ABSTRACT
In the three hundred years or so since his death Leibniz’s reputation has been subject to wild fluctuations. To a large extent these fluctuations coincide with changes in philosophical fashion. When metaphysics itself has enjoyed high esteem Leibniz has tended to be an object of fascinated admiration; when metaphysics has been in disrepute he has tended to go into eclipse accordingly. The uncompromising nature of his commitment to metaphysics of the most revisionist kind undoubtedly left him more than usually exposed to such changes in philosophical climate.
