more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
Monads do not constitute a complete composite substance, since they make up, not something one per se, but only a mere aggregate, unless some substantial chain is added.
Gist of Idea
Monads do not make a unity unless a substantial chain is added to them
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1712.05.26)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.201
A Reaction
This is the clearest statement in the Des Bosses letters of the need for something extra to unite monads. Since the main role of monads was to replace substances, which are only postulated to provide unity, this is rather a climb-down.
Related Ideas
Idea 12753 A substantial bond of powers is needed to unite composites, in addition to monads [Leibniz]
Idea 12774 Without a substantial chain to link monads, they would just be coordinated dreams [Leibniz]
Idea 12778 There is active and passive power in the substantial chain and in the essence of a composite [Leibniz]
| 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] |