Ideas from 'Letters to Foucher' by Gottfried Leibniz [1675], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Essays' by Leibniz,Gottfried (ed/tr Arlew,R /Garber,D) [Hackett 1989,0-87220-062-0]].

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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 4. Powers as Essence

13095

Essence is primitive force, or a law of change

			Full Idea: The essence of substances consists in the primitive force of action, or the law of the sequence of changes.
			From: Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Foucher [1675], 1676)
			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.

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 9. General Causation / d. Causal necessity

2117	The connection in events enables us to successfully predict the future, so there must be a constant cause

			Full Idea: There is a connection among our appearances that provides us the means to predict future appearances with success, and this connection must have a constant cause.
			From: Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Foucher [1675])