more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 11873

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 3. Ontology of Concepts / a. Concepts as representations]

Full Idea

You assert that the notion of substance is formed from concepts, and not from things. But are not concepts themselves formed from things?

Gist of Idea

Our notions may be formed from concepts, but concepts are formed from things

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Burcher De Volder [1706], 1699.06.23), quoted by David Wiggins - Sameness and Substance Renewed 5.7

Book Reference

Wiggins,David: 'Sameness and Substance Renewed' [CUP 2001], p.154


A Reaction

A nice remark, which is true even of highly abstruse, abstract or fanciful concepts. You are still left with the question of how far away from reality you have moved when you construct things from your reality-based concepts.