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Single Idea 17554

[filed under theme 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 7. Indiscernible Objects ]

Full Idea

There are never two beings in nature that are perfectly alike, two beings in which it is not possible to discover an internal difference, that is, one founded on an intrinsic denomination.

Gist of Idea

There must be some internal difference between any two beings in nature

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Monadology [1716], §09)

Book Ref

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.214

A Reaction

From this it follows that if two things really are indiscernible, then we must say that they are one thing. He says monads all differ from one another. People certainly do. Leibniz must say this of electrons. How can he know this?

The 19 ideas from 'Monadology'

7644 The monad idea incomprehensibly spiritualises matter, instead of materialising soul [La Mettrie on Leibniz]
11857 He replaced Aristotelian continuants with monads [Leibniz, by Wiggins]
7843 Is a drop of urine really an infinity of thinking monads? [Voltaire on Leibniz]
12751 It is unclear in 'Monadology' how extended bodies relate to mind-like monads. [Garber on Leibniz]
7931 If a substance is just a thing that has properties, it seems to be a characterless non-entity [Leibniz, by Macdonald,C]
12707 The true elements are atomic monads [Leibniz]
17554 There must be some internal difference between any two beings in nature [Leibniz]
19363 Changes in a monad come from an internal principle, and the diversity within its substance [Leibniz]
2109 Increase a conscious machine to the size of a mill - you still won't see perceptions in it [Leibniz]
19352 A 'monad' has basic perception and appetite; a 'soul' has distinct perception and memory [Leibniz]
2110 We all expect the sun to rise tomorrow by experience, but astronomers expect it by reason [Leibniz]
19362 We know the 'I' and its contents by abstraction from awareness of necessary truths [Leibniz]
2111 Falsehood involves a contradiction, and truth is contradictory of falsehood [Leibniz]
4642 No fact can be real and no proposition true unless there is a Sufficient Reason (even if we can't know it) [Leibniz]
2112 Truths of reason are known by analysis, and are necessary; facts are contingent, and their opposites possible [Leibniz]
9344 Mathematical analysis ends in primitive principles, which cannot be and need not be demonstrated [Leibniz]
2113 God alone (the Necessary Being) has the privilege that He must exist if He is possible [Leibniz]
2114 This is the most perfect possible universe, in its combination of variety with order [Leibniz]
2115 Everything in the universe is interconnected, so potentially a mind could know everything [Leibniz]