more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 13088

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 1. Essences of Objects]

Full Idea

The subject-term must always include the predicate-term, in such a way that the man who understood the notion of the subject perfectly would also judge that the predicate belongs to it.

Gist of Idea

Subjects include predicates, so full understanding of subjects reveals all the predicates

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Discourse on Metaphysics [1686], §8)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Parkinson,G.H.R. [Dent 1973], p.18


A Reaction

Sounds as if every sentence is analytic, but he doesn't mean that. He does, oddly, mean that if we fully understand the name 'Alexander', we understand his complete history, which is a bit silly, I'm afraid. Even God doesn't learn things just from names.