Full Idea
The essence of substances consists in the primitive force of action, or the law of the sequence of changes.
Gist of Idea
Essence is primitive force, or a law of change
Source
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Foucher [1675], 1676)
Book Reference
Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J: 'Substance and Individuation in Leibniz' [CUP 1999], p.222
A Reaction
[a 1676 note on Foucher's reply] It take these to be the two key distinctive Leibnizian contributions to the sort of metaphysic that is needed by modern science. Nature works with intrinsic essences, which are forces determining action.
Related Ideas
Idea 12714 The substantial form is the principle of action or the primitive force of acting [Leibniz]
Idea 12723 The most primitive thing in substances is force, which leads to their actions and dispositions [Leibniz]
Idea 13193 Active force is not just potential for action, since it involves a real effort or striving [Leibniz]
Idea 13092 The essence of substance is the law of its changes, as in the series of numbers [Leibniz]