Single Idea 12968

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 7. Substratum]

Full Idea

From the beginning we conceive several predicates in a single subject, and that is all there is to these metaphorical words 'support' and 'substratum'. So I do not see why it is made out to involve a problem.

Gist of Idea

A 'substratum' is just a metaphor for whatever supports several predicates

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.23)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.217


A Reaction

The question is whether the substratum is 'bare' if you remove all the predicates, and clearly Leibniz believes you are left with true essential substance (although the removal process is presumably only possible in thought, thanks to God).