back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12779

[from 'Letters to Des Bosses' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 1. Possibility ]

Full Idea

There is a reason why not every possible thing exists.

Gist of Idea

There is a reason why not every possible thing exists

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1716.05.29)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.202


A Reaction

This is the kind of wonderful speculative metaphysical remark that we are not allowed to make any more. Needless to say, he doesn't tell us what the reason is. Overcrowding, perhaps.