more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
An intelligent being's pleasure is simply the perception of beauty, order and perfection.
Gist of Idea
Intelligent pleasure is the perception of beauty, order and perfection
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (A Résumé of Metaphysics [1697], §18)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Parkinson,G.H.R. [Dent 1973], p.146
A Reaction
Leibniz seems to have inherited this from the Greeks, especially Pythagoras and Plato. Buried in Leibniz's remark I see the Christian fear of physical pleasure. He should have got out more. Must an intelligent being always be intelligent?
5048 | Perfection is simply quantity of reality [Leibniz] |
5049 | Intelligent pleasure is the perception of beauty, order and perfection [Leibniz] |
5050 | Evil serves a greater good, and pain is necessary for higher pleasure [Leibniz] |