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Single Idea 2102
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / g. Atomism
]
Full Idea
There are no two individuals indiscernible from one another - leaves, or drops of water, for example. This is an argument against atoms, which, like the void, are opposed to the principles of a true metaphysic.
Gist of Idea
Atomism is irrational because it suggests that two atoms can be indistinguishable
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Samuel Clarke [1716], 4.04)
Book Ref
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Parkinson,G.H.R. [Dent 1973], p.216
The
40 ideas
with the same theme
[lowest level of matter is tiny indivisible parts]:
17542
|
'Full' and 'Void' secularised Parmenides's Being and Not-being
[Democritus, by Heisenberg]
|
5947
|
If only atoms are real and the rest is convention, we wouldn't bother to avoid pain
[Democritus, by Diogenes of Oen.]
|
13219
|
When atoms touch, why don't they coalesce, like water drops?
[Aristotle on Democritus]
|
1525
|
Atomists say there are only three differences - in shape, arrangement and position
[Democritus, by Aristotle]
|
1533
|
Because appearance is infinitely varied, atomists assume infinitely many shapes of atom
[Democritus, by Aristotle]
|
20899
|
Atoms cling together, until a stronger necessity disperses them
[Democritus, by Aristotle]
|
20898
|
Atoms are irregular, hooked, concave, convex, and many other shapes
[Democritus, by Aristotle]
|
20908
|
There could be an atom the size of the world
[Democritus, by Ps-Plutarch]
|
1527
|
There must be atoms, to avoid the absurdity of infinite division down to nothing
[Democritus, by Aristotle]
|
20909
|
The basic atoms are without qualities - which only arise from encounters between atoms
[Democritus, by Galen]
|
493
|
Experiences are merely convention; only atoms and the void are real
[Democritus]
|
1536
|
If a cone is horizontally sliced the surfaces can't be equal, so it goes up in steps
[Democritus]
|
325
|
We must consider the four basic shapes as too small to see, only becoming visible in large numbers
[Plato]
|
13210
|
Wood is potentially divided through and through, so what is there in the wood besides the division?
[Aristotle]
|
13211
|
If a body is endlessly divided, is it reduced to nothing - then reassembled from nothing?
[Aristotle]
|
13220
|
Bodies are endlessly divisible
[Aristotle]
|
14034
|
There exists an infinity of each shape of atom, but the number of shapes is beyond our knowledge
[Epicurus]
|
14035
|
Atoms just have shape, size and weight; colour results from their arrangement
[Epicurus]
|
14038
|
There cannot be unlimited division, because it would reduce things to non-existence
[Epicurus]
|
20907
|
Democritus says atoms have size and shape, and Epicurus added weight
[Epicurus, by Ps-Plutarch]
|
21669
|
Atoms don't swerve by being struck, because they move in parallel, so the swerve is uncaused
[Cicero on Epicurus]
|
21680
|
What causes atomic swerves? Do they draw lots? What decides the size or number of swerves?
[Cicero on Epicurus]
|
5693
|
Everything is created and fed by nature from atoms, and they return to atoms in death
[Lucretius]
|
5701
|
If an object is infinitely subdivisible, it will be the same as the whole universe
[Lucretius]
|
5708
|
In downward motion, atoms occasionally swerve slightly for no reason
[Lucretius]
|
5950
|
If only atoms exist, how do qualities arise when the atoms come together?
[Plutarch]
|
20919
|
How can things without weight compose weight?
[Alexander]
|
16593
|
Atoms are not points, but hard indivisible things, which no force in nature can divide
[Gassendi]
|
16729
|
How do mere atoms produce qualities like colour, flavour and odour?
[Gassendi]
|
15952
|
The corpuscles just have shape, size and motion, which explains things without 'sympathies' or 'forces'
[Boyle, by Alexander,P]
|
12759
|
There are atoms of substance, but no atoms of bulk or extension
[Leibniz]
|
15955
|
I think the corpuscular theory, rather than forms or qualities, best explains particular phenomena
[Leibniz]
|
2102
|
Atomism is irrational because it suggests that two atoms can be indistinguishable
[Leibniz]
|
2105
|
Things are infinitely subdivisible and contain new worlds, which atoms would make impossible
[Leibniz]
|
2106
|
The only simple things are monads, with no parts or extension
[Leibniz]
|
12728
|
Leibniz rejected atoms, because they must be elastic, and hence have parts
[Leibniz, by Garber]
|
19374
|
Microscopes and the continuum suggest that matter is endlessly divisible
[Leibniz]
|
12705
|
Epicurean atoms are distinguished by their extreme hardness
[Garber]
|
6156
|
The 17th century reintroduced atoms as mathematical modes of Euclidean space
[Rowlands]
|
16609
|
Atomists say causation is mechanical collisions, and all true qualities are microscopic
[Pasnau]
|