more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 12811

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 3. Individual Essences]

Full Idea

It is impossible for us to have knowledge of individuals and to find the means of determining exactly the individuality of everything.

Gist of Idea

We can't know individuals, or determine their exact individuality

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 3.3)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.289


A Reaction

Aristotle was clearly also tempted by this doubt (since universals are involved), though individuals are what he wanted to understand. I think they are wrong. Leibniz gives the bizarre reason that we can't know individuals as they each contain infinity.