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Single Idea 12704
[filed under theme 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / b. Need for substance
]
Full Idea
In aggregates one must necessarily arrive either at mathematical points from which some make up extension, or at atoms (which I dismiss), or else no reality can be found in bodies, or finally one must recognises substances that possess a true unity.
Gist of Idea
Aggregates don’t reduce to points, or atoms, or illusion, so must reduce to substance
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Antoine Arnauld [1686], 1687.04.30), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 2
Book Ref
Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.74
A Reaction
Garber calls this Leibniz's Aggregate Argument. Leibniz is, of course, talking of physical aggregates which have unity. He consistently points out that a pile of logs has no unity at all. But is substance just that-which-provides-unity?
The
42 ideas
from 'Letters to Antoine Arnauld'
15955
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I think the corpuscular theory, rather than forms or qualities, best explains particular phenomena
[Leibniz]
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12903
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Wise people have fewer acts of will, because such acts are linked together
[Leibniz]
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5031
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Everything which happens is not necessary, but is certain after God chooses this universe
[Leibniz]
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5030
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Miracles are extraordinary operations by God, but are nevertheless part of his design
[Leibniz]
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12904
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If varieties of myself can be conceived of as distinct from me, then they are not me
[Leibniz]
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12905
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I cannot think my non-existence, nor exist without being myself
[Leibniz]
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12906
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Truths about species are eternal or necessary, but individual truths concern what exists
[Leibniz]
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13089
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To fully conceive the subject is to explain the resulting predicates and events
[Leibniz]
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12907
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Each possible world contains its own laws, reflected in the possible individuals of that world
[Leibniz]
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13077
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Basic predicates give the complete concept, which then predicts all of the actions
[Leibniz]
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11981
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If someone's life went differently, then that would be another individual
[Leibniz]
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19334
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I can't just know myself to be a substance; I must distinguish myself from others, which is hard
[Leibniz]
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19333
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A truth is just a proposition in which the predicate is contained within the subject
[Leibniz]
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12910
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The predicate is in the subject of a true proposition
[Leibniz]
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12908
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Essences exist in the divine understanding
[Leibniz]
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12913
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Nature is explained by mathematics and mechanism, but the laws rest on metaphysics
[Leibniz]
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12911
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Concepts are what unite a proposition
[Leibniz]
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12912
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Immortality without memory is useless
[Leibniz]
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12909
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Everything, even miracles, belongs to order
[Leibniz]
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12914
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Metaphysics is geometrical, resting on non-contradiction and sufficient reason
[Leibniz]
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12915
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Definitions can only be real if the item is possible
[Leibniz]
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12916
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A body is a unified aggregate, unless it has an indivisible substance
[Leibniz]
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12918
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Animals have souls, but lack consciousness
[Leibniz]
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12917
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The soul is indestructible and always self-aware
[Leibniz]
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12919
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Unity needs an indestructible substance, to contain everything which will happen to it
[Leibniz]
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5032
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It seems probable that animals have souls, but not consciousness
[Leibniz]
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12745
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Philosophy needs the precision of the unity given by substances
[Leibniz]
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12921
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Accidental unity has degrees, from a mob to a society to a machine or organism
[Leibniz]
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12746
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We find unity in reason, and unity in perception, but these are not true unity
[Leibniz]
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12920
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There is no multiplicity without true units
[Leibniz]
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12319
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What is not truly one being is not truly a being either
[Leibniz]
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5033
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Nothing should be taken as certain without foundations
[Leibniz]
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12704
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Aggregates don’t reduce to points, or atoms, or illusion, so must reduce to substance
[Leibniz]
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5034
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Mind is a thinking substance which can know God and eternal truths
[Leibniz]
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12922
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A thing 'expresses' another if they have a constant and fixed relationship
[Leibniz]
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12923
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Every bodily substance must have a soul, or something analogous to a soul
[Leibniz]
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13079
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A substance contains the laws of its operations, and its actions come from its own depth
[Leibniz]
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12924
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Motion alone is relative, but force is real, and establishes its subject
[Leibniz]
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12925
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Beauty increases with familiarity
[Leibniz]
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12927
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Happiness is advancement towards perfection
[Leibniz]
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12926
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Wisdom is the science of happiness
[Leibniz]
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12706
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Bodies need a soul (or something like it) to avoid being mere phenomena
[Leibniz]
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