more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 19405

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / c. Monads]

Full Idea

Every substance expresses the whole sequence of the universe in accordance with its own viewpoint or relationship to the rest, so that all are in perfect correspondence with one another.

Gist of Idea

Substances are in harmony, because they each express the one reality in themselves

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Identity in Substances and True Propositions [1686], p.98)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.98


A Reaction

Thus 'expression' (something like mapping what is exterior) is the mechanism through which God achieves harmony in the universe. Instants of time are said to be successive moments of perfect harmony.