Ideas from 'Aristotle and Descartes on Matter' by Gottfried Leibniz [1671], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Leibniz Selections' by Leibniz,Gottfried (ed/tr Wiener,Philip P.) [Scribners 1951,]].

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26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / b. Prime matter
Prime matter is nothing when it is at rest
                        Full Idea: Primary matter is nothing if considered at rest.
                        From: Gottfried Leibniz (Aristotle and Descartes on Matter [1671], p.90)
                        A reaction: This goes with Leibniz's Idea 13393, that activity is the hallmark of existence. No one seems to have been able to make good sense of prime matter, and it plays little role in Aristotle's writings.