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Single Idea 12969

[from 'New Essays on Human Understanding' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties ]

Full Idea

Powers which are not essential to substance, and which include not merely an aptitude but also a certain endeavour, are exactly what are or should be meant by 'real qualities'.

Gist of Idea

The active powers which are not essential to the substance are the 'real qualities'

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.23)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.226


A Reaction

An important part of Leibniz's account. There are thus essential powers, in the 'depth' of the substance, and more peripheral powers, which also initiate action, and give rise to the qualities. The second must derive from the first?

Related Idea

Idea 12999 Substances are primary powers; their ways of being are the derivative powers [Leibniz]