more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 12718

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / a. Early Modern matter]

Full Idea

I understand matter as either secondary or primary. Secondary matter is, indeed, a complete substance, but it is not merely passive; primary matter is merely passive, but it is not a complete substance. So we must add a soul or form...

Gist of Idea

Secondary matter is active and complete; primary matter is passive and incomplete

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (On Nature Itself (De Ipsa Natura) [1698], §12), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 4

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.142


A Reaction

It sounds as if primary matter is redundant, but Garber suggests that secondary matter is just the combination of primary matter with form.