What is pre-established harmony?

Pre-established harmony is a philosophical concept that was notably advanced by the German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. In the context of Leibniz's metaphysical system, pre-established harmony addresses the interaction between mind and body, particularly in the absence of direct causal influence.

Leibniz rejected the notion of direct interaction between the immaterial mind and the material body. Instead, he proposed that both the mind and body are like synchronized clocks, each functioning independently but in perfect harmony with the other. According to this idea, God, as the ultimate creator and orchestrator, established a pre-existing harmony between mental and physical events at the moment of creation.

In the pre-established harmony, mental and physical events do not causally influence each other; rather, they unfold in perfect correspondence. This means that mental perceptions and bodily actions are synchronized, creating the appearance of a seamless interaction without requiring any direct causal connection.

Leibniz's pre-established harmony was a response to the mind-body problem and aimed to reconcile the distinct natures of mind and body within a unified and harmonious worldview. While the concept has faced criticism, especially regarding the question of how such pre-established order is achieved, it remains an intriguing element of Leibnizian philosophy and has influenced subsequent discussions on the nature of consciousness and the relationship between mind and body.