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Single Idea 12952

[from 'New Essays on Human Understanding' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 5. Relational Space ]

Full Idea

Space is a relationship: an order, not only among existents, but also among possibles as though they existed.

Gist of Idea

Space is an order among actual and possible things

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.13)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.149


A Reaction

The modal end to this idea is a bit puzzling. Would there be any space if there were only possibles, and nothing yet existed, as in God's mind the instant before he got to work?