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Single Idea 19351

[from 'The Theodicy' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 17. Mind and Body / A. Mind-Body Dualism / 5. Parallelism ]

Full Idea

Insofar as the soul has perfection ...God has accommodated the body to the soul, and has arranged beforehand that the body is impelled to execute its orders. Insofar as it is imperfect and confused, God accommodates soul to body, swayed by passions.

Gist of Idea

Perfections of soul subordinate the body, but imperfections of soul submit to the body

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (The Theodicy [1710], p.159), quoted by Franklin Perkins - Leibniz: Guide for the Perplexed 3.IV

Book Reference

Perkins,Franklin: 'Leibniz: Guide for the Perplexed' [Continuum 2007], p.102


A Reaction

Perkins says this is the nearest Leibniz gets to the idea of interaction between body and soul. Perfection and confusion are on a continuum for Leibniz. With such speculations I always wonder how these things can be known. How perfect is my mind?