Final notes on Leibniz

1. Differences between spirits like us and lesser monads:

• We reflect not just the universe, but also ourselves and God.
• Self-reflection makes self-governance and, hence, morality possible.
• The perfections of spirits are not in conflict like those of animals and plants.  On the contrary, my being wiser and more virtuous helps others.  Consequently, although the good of spirits does not always outweigh all other consideration--the good of a whole animal species might outweigh one individual human's good--it is much easier for God to fit in lots of flourishing spirits.  Thus, God always wants spirits to flourish: he never wants spirits to sin, either as an end or as a means (but only as a necessary concommittant of some other good--what does that mean?), though sometimes he does want them to suffer as a means to some good.
• Punishment and reward are universal laws.

2. Happiness

• Happiness is found in progress rather than a static state.
• Pleasures of sense reduce to intellectual pleasures.  The beauty of music consists in mathematical facts which we confusedly perceive.