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Single Idea 12906
[filed under theme 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 10. Essence as Species
]
Full Idea
The concept of a species contains only eternal or necessary truths, whereas the concept of an individual contains, regarded as possible, what in fact exists or what is related to the existence of things and to time.
Gist of Idea
Truths about species are eternal or necessary, but individual truths concern what exists
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Antoine Arnauld [1686], 1686.06)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'The Leibniz-Arnauld Correspondence', ed/tr. Mason,HT/Parkinson,GHR [Manchester UP 1967], p.41
A Reaction
This seems to be what is behind the preference some have for kind-essences rather than individual essences. But the individual must be explained, as well as the kind. Not all tigers are identical. The two are, of course, compatible.
Related Idea
Idea 12987
For some sorts, a member of it is necessarily a member [Leibniz]
The
42 ideas
from 'Letters to Antoine Arnauld'
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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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5030
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Miracles are extraordinary operations by God, but are nevertheless part of his design
[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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12905
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I cannot think my non-existence, nor exist without being myself
[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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12906
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Truths about species are eternal or necessary, but individual truths concern what exists
[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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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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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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12909
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Everything, even miracles, belongs to order
[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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12911
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Concepts are what unite a proposition
[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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12912
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Immortality without memory is useless
[Leibniz]
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12908
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Essences exist in the divine understanding
[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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12917
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The soul is indestructible and always self-aware
[Leibniz]
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12918
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Animals have souls, but lack consciousness
[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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5033
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Nothing should be taken as certain without foundations
[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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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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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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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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5034
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Mind is a thinking substance which can know God and eternal truths
[Leibniz]
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12925
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Beauty increases with familiarity
[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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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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12926
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Wisdom is the science of happiness
[Leibniz]
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12927
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Happiness is advancement towards perfection
[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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