more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 12709

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / B. Modern Physics / 1. Relativity / a. Special relativity]

Full Idea

In reality motion is not something absolute, but consists in relation.

Gist of Idea

Motion is not absolute, but consists in relation

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (On Motion [1677], A6.4.1968), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 3

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.110


A Reaction

It is often thought that motion being relative was invented by Einstein, but Leibniz wholeheartedly embraced 'Galilean relativity', and refused to even consider any absolute concept of motion. Acceleration is a bit trickier than velocity.