Introduction ad philosophiam

Christian Wolff (1679-1754) was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the early and high Enlightenment. Using philosophy and what was known as the mathematical method he sought to establish an encyclopaedic system of knowledge on the basis of contemporary intellectual culture. In the middle of his century Wolff was renowned throughout Europe as an authority. Still celebrated by Kant as the “inventor of the spirit of thoroughness”, his reputation faded soon afterwards. It was only the publication of the major edition of Wolff’s works prepared by Jean Ecole and others that led to the rediscovery of Wolff and a reinvigoration of international Wolff scholarship.