Full Idea
In music, the soul counts the beats of the vibrating object which makes the sound, and when these beats regularly coincide at short intervals, it finds them pleasing. Thus it counts without knowing it.
Gist of Idea
Minds unconsciously count vibration beats in music, and enjoy it when they coincide
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (On Note L to Bayle's 'Rorarius' [1705], [L])
Book Reference
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Texts', ed/tr. Woolhouse R/Francks,R [OUP 1998], p.238
A Reaction
Only a mathematician would see music this way! He is defending his account of the unconscious mind. The proposal that we unconsciously count sounds highly implausible. He needs to recognise the patterns that ground mathematics.
Related Idea
Idea 19355 The soul doesn't understand many of its own actions, if perceptions are confused and desires buried [Leibniz]