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Single Idea 13168

[from 'New system of communication of substances' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 4. Powers as Essence ]

Full Idea

To find real entities I had recourse to a unified formal atom. Hence I rehabilitated the substantial forms in a way to render them intelligible. I found that their nature consists in force, from which follows something analogous to sensation and appetite.

Gist of Idea

My formal unifying atoms are substantial forms, which are forces like appetites

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New system of communication of substances [1695], p.139)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.139


A Reaction

[several lines are here compressed] This passage sums up the key to Leibniz's essentialism, which I take to be a connection between Aristotelian form and the physicists' notion of force. This gives us a modern version of Aristotelianism for science.