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Single Idea 13175

[from 'Letters to Johann Bernoulli' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / c. Monads ]

Full Idea

Just as we somehow conceive other souls and intelligences on analogy with our own souls, I wanted whatever other primitive entelechies there may be remote from our senses to be conceived on analogy with souls. They are not conceived perfectly.

Clarification

'Entelechies' are unities of form and matter

Gist of Idea

Entelechies are analogous to souls, as other minds are analogous to our own minds

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Johann Bernoulli [1699], 1698.12.17)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.170


A Reaction

This is the clearest evidence I can find that Leibniz does not think of monads as actually being souls. He is struggling to explain their active character. Garber thinks that Leibniz hasn't arrived at proper monads at this date.