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Single Idea 16684

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / c. Matter as extension ]

Full Idea

It is demonstrated that impenetrability belongs to the essence of extension and not to the essence of any other thing.

Gist of Idea

Impenetrability only belongs to the essence of extension

Source

René Descartes (Two letters on mind [1649], More, Apr 1649), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 15.5

Book Ref

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.318

A Reaction

I'm not sure that I understand how pure extension can be impenetrable.

Related Idea

Idea 16683 Leibniz eventually said resistance, rather than extension, was the essence of body [Leibniz, by Pasnau]

The 8 ideas with the same theme [matter is just whatever occupies a space]:

16687 Bodies are three-dimensional substances [Aquinas]
16684 Impenetrability only belongs to the essence of extension [Descartes]
16601 Matter is not hard, heavy or coloured, but merely extended in space [Descartes]
6518 Matter can't just be Descartes's geometry, because a filler of the spaces is needed [Robinson,H on Descartes]
13185 Even if extension is impenetrable, this still offers no explanation for motion and its laws [Leibniz]
16683 Leibniz eventually said resistance, rather than extension, was the essence of body [Leibniz, by Pasnau]
5615 Extension and impenetrability together make the concept of matter [Kant]
6519 Locke's solidity is not matter, because that is impenetrability and hardness combined [Robinson,H]