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Single Idea 12975

[from 'New Essays on Human Understanding' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 13. Nominal Essence ]

Full Idea

That gold is a metal which resists cupellation and is insoluble in aquafortis is a distinct idea, for it gives us the criteria or definition of 'gold'. But it is not a perfect idea, because we know too little about cupellation and actions of aquafortis.

Gist of Idea

We have a distinct idea of gold, to define it, but not a perfect idea, to understand it

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.31)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.267


A Reaction

This connects the 'perfect idea' of something with knowing its active substance, and hence its essence. See Idea 12976 for the connection between perfect ideas and definitions.

Related Ideas

Idea 12976 If our ideas of a thing are imperfect, the thing can have several unconnected definitions [Leibniz]

Idea 12977 We will only connect our various definitions of gold when we understand it more deeply [Leibniz]

Idea 12983 A nominal definition is of the qualities, but the real definition is of the essential inner structure [Leibniz]