This study investigates the core philosophical conflict between Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and John Locke as articulated in Leibniz's New Essays on Human Understanding. Nicholas Jolley, a scholar of early modern philosophy, utilizes unpublished correspondence and manuscript evidence to argue that Leibniz's critique of Locke is fundamentally driven by a desire to refute perceived materialism. By situating the text within its historical context, Jolley demonstrates how Leibniz's metaphysical and theological commitments shape his rejection of Lockean empiricism.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of early modern rationalism and empiricism. Scholars frequently cite Jolley's analysis for its rigorous use of archival material to clarify the intellectual tension between these two foundational thinkers.