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12695 | Epicurean atomists say body is sensible, to distinguish it from space. |
Full Idea: The Epicurean atomists also defined body in terms of the property of being sensible, in order to distinguish it from empty space, which is not sensible. | |||
From: Daniel Garber (Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad [2009], 1) | |||
A reaction: This is a very illuminating bit of background, for those of us who have the knee-jerk reaction that monadology is barking mad. |
12705 | Epicurean atoms are distinguished by their extreme hardness |
Full Idea: In Epicurean atomism (of Cordemoy, for example) there is a world of basic things distinguished by virtue of their extreme hardness. | |||
From: Daniel Garber (Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad [2009], 2) | |||
A reaction: Garber says that Leibniz espouses 'substantial atomism', which is different from this. Leibniz's atoms have active power, where these atoms just embody total resistance. |