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Single Idea 12919

[from 'Letters to Antoine Arnauld' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance ]

Full Idea

Substantial unity requires a complete, indivisible and naturally indestructible entity, since its concept embraces everything that is to happen to it, which cannot be found in shape or motion.

Gist of Idea

Unity needs an indestructible substance, to contain everything which will happen to it

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Antoine Arnauld [1686], 1686.11.28/12.8)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'The Leibniz-Arnauld Correspondence', ed/tr. Mason,HT/Parkinson,GHR [Manchester UP 1967], p.94


A Reaction

Hence if a tile is due to be broken in half (Arnauld's example), it cannot have had unity in the first place. To what do we refer when we say 'the tile was broken'?