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Single Idea 19402

[filed under theme 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 1. Possible Worlds / a. Possible worlds ]

Full Idea

The actual universe is the collection of the possibles which forms the richest composite.

Gist of Idea

The actual universe is the richest composite of what is possible

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Exigency to Exist in Essences [1690], p.92)

Book Ref

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.92

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A Reaction

'Richest' for Leibniz means a maximum combination of existence, order and variety. It's rather like picking the best starting team from a squad of footballers.

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The 3 ideas from 'Exigency to Exist in Essences'

19400

Possibles demand existence, so as many of them as possible must actually exist [Leibniz]

19401

God's sufficient reason for choosing reality is in the fitness or perfection of possibilities [Leibniz]

19402

The actual universe is the richest composite of what is possible [Leibniz]