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Single Idea 12707
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / f. Ancient elements
]
Full Idea
Monads are the true atoms of nature and, in brief, the elements of things.
Gist of Idea
The true elements are atomic monads
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Monadology [1716], (opening)), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 2
Book Ref
Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.88
A Reaction
Thus in one sentence Leibniz gives us a theory of natural elements, and an account of atoms. This kind of speculation got metaphysics a bad name when science unravelled a more accurate picture. The bones must be picked out of Leibniz.
The
19 ideas
from 'Monadology'
7644
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The monad idea incomprehensibly spiritualises matter, instead of materialising soul
[La Mettrie on Leibniz]
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11857
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He replaced Aristotelian continuants with monads
[Leibniz, by Wiggins]
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7843
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Is a drop of urine really an infinity of thinking monads?
[Voltaire on Leibniz]
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12751
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It is unclear in 'Monadology' how extended bodies relate to mind-like monads.
[Garber on Leibniz]
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7931
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If a substance is just a thing that has properties, it seems to be a characterless non-entity
[Leibniz, by Macdonald,C]
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12707
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The true elements are atomic monads
[Leibniz]
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17554
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There must be some internal difference between any two beings in nature
[Leibniz]
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19363
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Changes in a monad come from an internal principle, and the diversity within its substance
[Leibniz]
|
2109
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Increase a conscious machine to the size of a mill - you still won't see perceptions in it
[Leibniz]
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19352
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A 'monad' has basic perception and appetite; a 'soul' has distinct perception and memory
[Leibniz]
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2110
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We all expect the sun to rise tomorrow by experience, but astronomers expect it by reason
[Leibniz]
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19362
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We know the 'I' and its contents by abstraction from awareness of necessary truths
[Leibniz]
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2111
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Falsehood involves a contradiction, and truth is contradictory of falsehood
[Leibniz]
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4642
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No fact can be real and no proposition true unless there is a Sufficient Reason (even if we can't know it)
[Leibniz]
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2112
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Truths of reason are known by analysis, and are necessary; facts are contingent, and their opposites possible
[Leibniz]
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9344
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Mathematical analysis ends in primitive principles, which cannot be and need not be demonstrated
[Leibniz]
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2113
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God alone (the Necessary Being) has the privilege that He must exist if He is possible
[Leibniz]
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2114
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This is the most perfect possible universe, in its combination of variety with order
[Leibniz]
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2115
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Everything in the universe is interconnected, so potentially a mind could know everything
[Leibniz]
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