The Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy (Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy)

Anne Conway was an extraordinary figure in a remarkable age. Her Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy is the most interesting and original philosophical work written by a woman in the seventeenth century. Her radical and unorthodox ideas are important not only because they anticipated the more tolerant, ecumenical, and optimistic philosophy of the Enlightenment, but also because of their influence on Leibniz. This newly translated and fully annotated edition includes an introduction that places Conway in her historical and philosophical contexts, together with a chronology of her life and a bibliography.

The main objective of Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy is to expand the range, variety, and quality of texts in the history of philosophy which are available in English. The series includes texts by familiar names and also by less well-known authors. Wherever possible, texts are published in complete and unabridged from, and translations are specially commissioned for the series.