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Single Idea 12733

[from 'De arcanus motus' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers ]

Full Idea

The primary mechanical axiom is that the whole cause and the entire effect have the same power [potentia]. ..This depends on the definition of cause, effect and power.

Gist of Idea

Because of the definitions of cause, effect and power, cause and effect have the same power

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (De arcanus motus [1676], 203), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 6

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.237


A Reaction

This is a useful reminder that if one is going to build a metaphysics on powers (which I intend to do), then the conservation laws in physics are highly relevant.

Related Idea

Idea 15095 A property's causal features are essential, and only they fix its identity [Shoemaker]