Full Idea
The first entelechy of a composite is a constitutive part of the composite substance, namely its primitive force.
Clarification
An 'entelechy' is what makes something actual, or perfect, not merely potential
Gist of Idea
Primitive force is what gives a composite its reality
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1716.05.29)
Book Reference
Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.205
A Reaction
For me, Leibniz's most interesting proposal is to characterise Aristotelian 'form' as an active thing, which offers an intrinsic account of movement, and a bottom level for explanations. There always remains the inexplicable. Why anything? Why this?
Related Ideas
Idea 12965 All occurrence in the depth of a substance is spontaneous 'action' [Leibniz]
Idea 13169 I call Aristotle's entelechies 'primitive forces', which originate activity [Leibniz]