back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 11855

[from 'New Essays on Human Understanding' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined ]

Full Idea

I maintain that substances (material or immaterial) cannot be conceived in their bare essence devoid of activity; that activity is of the essence of substance in general

Gist of Idea

Substances cannot be bare, but have activity as their essence

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], Pref 65)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.65


A Reaction

Leibniz liked the idea that God was the source of this activity, but this remark makes Leibniz a direct ancestor of modern scientific essentialism.