Single Idea 23669

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic]

Full Idea

Those philosophers who attribute to matter the power of gravitation, and other active powers, teach us, at the same time, that matter is a substance altogether inert, and merely passive; …that those powers are impressed on it by some external cause.

Gist of Idea

Thinkers say that matter has intrinsic powers, but is also passive and acted upon

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 1: Active power [1788], 6)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.309


A Reaction

This shows the dilemma of the period, when 'laws of nature' were imposed on passive matter by God, and yet gravity and magnetism appeared as inherent properties of matter.

Related Idea

Idea 5467 Euler said nature is instrinsically passive, and minds cause change [Euler, by Ellis]