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Single Idea 12903

[from 'Letters to Antoine Arnauld' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 2. Wise People ]

Full Idea

The wiser one is, the fewer separate acts of will one has and the more one's views and acts of will are comprehensive and linked together.

Gist of Idea

Wise people have fewer acts of will, because such acts are linked together

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Antoine Arnauld [1686], 1686.04.12)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'The Leibniz-Arnauld Correspondence', ed/tr. Mason,HT/Parkinson,GHR [Manchester UP 1967], p.15


A Reaction

[letter to Landgrave, about Arnauld] It is unusual to find a philosopher who actually tries to analyse the nature of wisdom, instead of just paying lipservice to it. I take Leibniz to be entirely right here. He equates wisdom with rational behaviour.