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Full Idea
Every substance is alive.
Gist of Idea
Every substance is alive
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1712.02.05)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.200
A Reaction
The most charitable interpretation of this is that substances are what have unity, and the best model of unity that we can grasp is the unity of an organism. The less charitable view is that he literally thinks a pebble is 'alive'. Hm.
| 12774 | Without a substantial chain to link monads, they would just be coordinated dreams [Leibniz] |
| 12775 | Things seem to be unified if we see duration, position, interaction and connection [Leibniz] |
| 12776 | Every substance is alive [Leibniz] |
| 12777 | Monads do not make a unity unless a substantial chain is added to them [Leibniz] |
| 12753 | A substantial bond of powers is needed to unite composites, in addition to monads [Leibniz] |
| 12781 | A composite substance is a mere aggregate if its essence is just its parts [Leibniz] |
| 12779 | There is a reason why not every possible thing exists [Leibniz] |
| 12785 | Truth is mutually agreed perception [Leibniz] |
| 12784 | Allow no more miracles than are necessary [Leibniz] |
| 12782 | Monads control nothing outside of themselves [Leibniz] |
| 12778 | There is active and passive power in the substantial chain and in the essence of a composite [Leibniz] |
| 12783 | Primitive force is what gives a composite its reality [Leibniz] |
| 12780 | We can grasp the wisdom of God a priori [Leibniz] |