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Full Idea
Evils themselves serve a greater good, and the fact that pains are found in minds is necessary if they are to reach greater pleasures.
Gist of Idea
Evil serves a greater good, and pain is necessary for higher pleasure
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (A Résumé of Metaphysics [1697], §23)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Parkinson,G.H.R. [Dent 1973], p.147
A Reaction
How much pain is needed to qualify for the 'greater pleasures'? Some people receive an awful lot. I am not sure exactly how an evil can 'serve' a greater good. Is he recommending evil?
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] |