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Full Idea
The first entelechy of a composite is a constitutive part of the composite substance, namely its primitive force.
Clarification
An 'entelechy' is what makes something actual, or perfect, not merely potential
Gist of Idea
Primitive force is what gives a composite its reality
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1716.05.29)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.205
A Reaction
For me, Leibniz's most interesting proposal is to characterise Aristotelian 'form' as an active thing, which offers an intrinsic account of movement, and a bottom level for explanations. There always remains the inexplicable. Why anything? Why this?
Related Ideas
Idea 12965 All occurrence in the depth of a substance is spontaneous 'action' [Leibniz]
Idea 13169 I call Aristotle's entelechies 'primitive forces', which originate activity [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] |