Ideas from 'A Résumé of Metaphysics' by Gottfried Leibniz [1697], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Writings' by Leibniz,Gottfried (ed/tr Parkinson,G.H.R.) [Dent 1973,0-460-11905-2]].

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22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / a. Nature of pleasure

5049	Intelligent pleasure is the perception of beauty, order and perfection

			Full Idea: An intelligent being's pleasure is simply the perception of beauty, order and perfection.
			From: Gottfried Leibniz (A Résumé of Metaphysics [1697], §18)
			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?

28. God / A. Divine Nature / 3. Divine Perfections

5048	Perfection is simply quantity of reality

			Full Idea: Perfection is simply quantity of reality.
			From: Gottfried Leibniz (A Résumé of Metaphysics [1697], §11)
			A reaction: An interesting claim, but totally beyond my personal comprehension. I presume he inherited 'quantity of reality' from Plato, e.g. as you move up the Line from shadows to Forms you increase the degree of reality. I see 'real' as all-or-nothing.

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / b. Human Evil

5050	Evil serves a greater good, and pain is necessary for higher pleasure

			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.
			From: Gottfried Leibniz (A Résumé of Metaphysics [1697], §23)
			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?