Ideas from 'Letters to Thomas Burnett' by Gottfried Leibniz [1703], by Theme Structure
[found in 'Philosophical Essays' by Leibniz,Gottfried (ed/tr Arlew,R /Garber,D) [Hackett 1989,0-87220-062-0]].
green numbers give full details |
back to texts
|
unexpand these ideas
9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance
13197
|
The notion of substance is one of the keys to true philosophy
|
|
|
|
Full Idea:
I consider the notion of substance to be one of the keys to the true philosophy. ....I imagine that philosophers will one day know the notion of substance a bit better than they do now.
|
|
|
|
From:
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Thomas Burnett [1703], 1699.01.20/30)
|
|
|
|
A reaction:
This is a controversial remark at this historical moment, when the apparent Aristotelian commitment to substances was becoming discredited. Personally I would eliminate substance, but not just because physicists don't refer to it.
|
26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / c. Essence and laws
13198
|
Gravity is within matter because of its structure, and it can be explained.
|
|
|
|
Full Idea:
I believe that both gravity and elasticity are in matter only because of the structure of the system and can be explained mechanically or through impulsion.
|
|
|
|
From:
Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Thomas Burnett [1703], 1699 draft)
|
|
|
|
A reaction:
The significance of this remark is that gravity is held (in full knowledge of Newton's work) to be within matter, and not imposed from the outside. I believe we now postulate a particle as part of the explanation.
|