Rational Thoughts on God, the World, and the Soul of Man

must be allowed to triumph as if no answer could have been given to them. Although I do not care at all for the judgment of the unintelligent original: "Unverständigen," referring to those lacking in sound reason or "Verstand.", but rather consider it no small praise when I am despised by them (for since everyone judges according to their own concepts, I would be sorry if I were the kind of man they held in high regard); it is thus all the same to me if they consider themselves great heroes and find pleasure in their errors. Since they are, after all, capable of no other happiness Glückseligkeit: A central term in Wolff’s ethics, often translated as "bliss" or "felicity," referring to the state achieved by the perfection of the soul and body through reason., I will gladly grant them this joy.

I therefore declare once and for all, and will consistently maintain, that 1. I will answer with all modesty original: "Bescheidenheit." when objections are brought forward that serve to clarify the propositions I have asserted, and through the examination of which a new light is kindled, which helps both me and others toward a deeper insight into the truth. And indeed, it will be all the same to me whether the objections are communicated only in writing or in public print. For since my main intention is directed toward nothing other than the truth, whether it has been discovered by others or is added by me,