Rational Psychology

PREFACE

[...what use they can have in moral philoso]phy, in which the unfolding of perceptions is wonderfully useful for restraining the emotions and stripping away the false mask from an apparent good original: "bono apparenti." In ethics, an "apparent good" is something that seems beneficial but is actually harmful; Wolff argues that understanding how our minds perceive these helps us control our impulses.. The teachings concerning the spirit and the soul’s spirituality and immortality are of the highest value original: "omne fert punctum," a Latin idiom meaning to be entirely successful or to win every vote not only in Natural Theology and moral philosophy, but also in defending the Christian religion against the Anti-Scripturists Anti-Scripturists: Latin "Antiscripturarios," referring to those who reject the divine authority or historical accuracy of the Bible. I shall remain silent about other uses, which diligent and attentive readers of this psychological work will experience for themselves.

However, since our psychological theory does not even depend upon the system of pre-established harmony Pre-established Harmony: the theory that the soul and body do not interact directly, but were synchronized by God at creation like two perfectly timed clocks—from which the envious and malevolent have seized an opportunity for slander—everyone will more easily understand from this how far it is from the truth that my entire philosophy rests upon pre-established harmony as its sole foundation.

Furthermore, I must not pass over in silence the truly singular evidences of special divine providence which I experienced at the very time I was laboring on the publication of this psychological work. For when the first day of the previous year dawned, from the most powerful King of the Swedes, the Landgrave of Hesse King Frederick I (1676–1751), who was both the King of Sweden and the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. He was a significant patron of Wolff during his period of exile from Prussia., my King and Lord...