Single Idea 12976

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition]

Full Idea

The result of having an imperfect idea of something is that the same subject admits of several mutually independent definitions: we shall sometimes be unable to derive one from another, or see in advance that they must belong to a single subject.

Gist of Idea

If our ideas of a thing are imperfect, the thing can have several unconnected definitions

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.31)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.267


A Reaction

See Idea 12975 for imperfect ideas of things. Obviously the idea is that perfect knowledge will converge on a single definition, which will pinpoint the essence of a thing, and then all explanations will flow. A nice addition to the Aristotelian view.

Related Idea

Idea 12975 We have a distinct idea of gold, to define it, but not a perfect idea, to understand it [Leibniz]