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Full Idea
Without soul or form of some kind, a body would have no being, because no part of it can be designated which does not in turn consist of more parts. Thus nothing could be designated in a body which could be called 'this thing', or a unity.
Gist of Idea
A body would be endless disunited parts, if it did not have a unifying form or soul
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Conspectus libelli (book outline) [1678], A6.4.1988), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 1
Book Ref
Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.51
A Reaction
The locution 'soul or form' is disconcerting, and you have to spend some time with Leibniz to get the hang of it. The 'soul' is not intelligent, and is more like a source of action and response.
12700 | Form or soul gives unity and duration; matter gives multiplicity and change [Leibniz] |
12699 | A body would be endless disunited parts, if it did not have a unifying form or soul [Leibniz] |
12736 | If we understand God and his choices, we have a priori knowledge of contingent truths [Leibniz, by Garber] |
12698 | Every body contains a kind of sense and appetite, or a soul [Leibniz] |