more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 12756

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined]

Full Idea

The very substance in things consists of a force for acting and being acted upon.

Gist of Idea

Substance is a force for acting and being acted upon

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (On Nature Itself (De Ipsa Natura) [1698], §08)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.159


A Reaction

Garber places this text just before the spiritual notion of monads took a grip on Leibniz. He seems to have thought that only some non-physical entity, with appetite and perception, could generate force. Wrong.