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Full Idea
The nature of substance necessarily requires and essentially involves progress or change, without which it would not have the force to act.
Gist of Idea
Substance must necessarily involve progress and change
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (New system of communication of substances [1695], p.144)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.144
A Reaction
Bravo. Most metaphysical musings regarding 'substance' seem entirely wrapped up in the problem of pure identity, and forget about the role of objects in activity and change.
13168 | My formal unifying atoms are substantial forms, which are forces like appetites [Leibniz] |
13169 | I call Aristotle's entelechies 'primitive forces', which originate activity [Leibniz] |
13167 | We need the metaphysical notion of force to explain mechanics, and not just extended mass [Leibniz] |
13170 | The analysis of things leads to atoms of substance, which found both composition and action [Leibniz] |
13171 | Substance must necessarily involve progress and change [Leibniz] |