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Single Idea 7841

[from 'works' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 16. Persons / F. Free Will / 6. Determinism / a. Determinism ]

Full Idea

The will has its causes, but since we are ignorant of them, we believe ourselves independent. It is this chimera of imaginary independence which revolts us against determinism, and which brings us to believe there are difficulties where there are none.

Clarification

A 'chimera' is an imaginary animal

Gist of Idea

We think we are free because the causes of the will are unknown; determinism is a false problem

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (works [1690]), quoted by Matthew Stewart - The Courtier and the Heretic Ch.16

Book Reference

Stewart,Matthew: 'The Courtier and the Heretic' [Yale 2007], p.285


A Reaction

It seems that in his notebooks Leibniz was actually a (Spinozan) determinist. So he should have been, given his view that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and his claim that mind and brain run like two clocks. (Ideas 2114 and 2596)

Related Ideas

Idea 2114 This is the most perfect possible universe, in its combination of variety with order [Leibniz]

Idea 2596 Maybe mind and body are parallel, like two good clocks [Leibniz]