more from Gottfried Leibniz

Single Idea 19428

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 5. Reason for Existence]

Full Idea

From the very fact that something exists rather than nothing, we recognise that there is in possible things, that is, in the very possibility or essence, a certain exigent need of existence, and, so to speak, some claim to existence.

Gist of Idea

Because something does exist, there must be a drive in possible things towards existence

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (On the Ultimate Origination of Things [1697], p.347)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.347


A Reaction

I love the fact that Leibniz tried to explain why there is something rather than nothing. Bede Rundle and Dale Jacquette are similar heroes. As Leibniz tells us, contradictions have no claim to existence, but non-contradictions do.