Discourse on Metaphysics, 1686
The Discourse on Metaphysics is one of Leibniz´ fundamental works. Written around January 1686, it is the most accomplished systematic expression of Leibniz's philosophy in the 1680s, the period in which Leibniz's philosophy reached maturity. Leibniz's goal in the Discourse is to give a metaphysics for Christianity; that is, to provide the answers that he believes Christians should give to the basic metaphysical questions. Why does the world exist? What is the world like? What kinds of things exist? And what is the place of human beings in the world? To this purpose Leibniz discusses some of the most traditional topics of metaphysics, such as the nature of God, the purpose of God in creating the world, the nature of substance, the possibility of miracles, the nature of our knowledge, free will, and the justice behind salvation and damnation.
Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra's 2020 volume provides a new translation of the Discourse, complete with a critical introduction and a comprehensive philosophical commentary. (Oxford University Press)
G.W. Leibniz: Philosophical Essays, 1989 (tr. Ariew and Garber)
Although Leibniz's writing forms an enormous corpus, no single work stands as a canonical expression of his whole philosophy. In addition, the wide range of Leibniz's work--letters, published papers, and fragments on a variety of philosophical, religious, mathematical, and scientific questions over a fifty-year period--heightens the challenge of preparing an edition of his writings in English translation from the French and Latin. (Hackett Publishing Company)
A Redditor suggested these texts as a jump-off into Leibniz. I'm a little silly, a little stupid, and I hope I can engage with them. Attached below are links to b u y them. Note: attached Discourse is not the Rodriguez-Pereyra translation, but Jonathan Bennett's 2017 modernised translation.
https://www.earlymoderntexts.com/assets/pdfs/leibniz1686d.pdf
https://antilogicalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/leibniz.pdf