more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 12735

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers]

Full Idea

It follows from the nature of God that there is a fixed power of a definite magnitude [non vagam] in anything whatsoever, otherwise there would be no reasonings about those things.

Gist of Idea

Everything has a fixed power, as required by God, and by the possibility of reasoning

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (De aequopollentia causae et effectus [1679], A6.4.1964), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 6

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.244


A Reaction

This is double-edged. On the one hand there is the grand claim that the principle derives from divine nature, but on the other it derives from our capacity to reason and explain. No one doubts that powers are 'fixed'.