05 February 2006

and then consistency...

A. - Being - possible limit.
Possible - that which does not imply contradiction.

Existing - compossible with the most perfect.
Compossible - that which does not imply contradiction with another.
More perfect is that which has more of reality or of positive entity.

B. – Being or possible. Existing is that possible series which envelops more of reality, and whatever advances with that.

C. – Existence cannot be defined, no more than being or pure positive, so of course how can any clearer idea be presented to us; but it is known that every possible would exist if it could, but because not every possible can exist, those exist which are more perfect. And so that which is most perfect, it certainly is well known to exist. But there is some most perfect being, i.e. the greatest perfection that is possible, because it is nothing other than pure positive.


Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm; DEFINITIONS (1683-94?); from Grua, Gaston (ed); Textes inédits tome 1 pp 324 - 325; Original translation © Maureen Sawbridge 2002; Revised translation © Lloyd Strickland 2003; Leibniz Translation.com

...how can one thing be more perfect than another?

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