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Single Idea 13197

[from 'Letters to Thomas Burnett' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance ]

Full Idea

I consider the notion of substance to be one of the keys to the true philosophy. ....I imagine that philosophers will one day know the notion of substance a bit better than they do now.

Gist of Idea

The notion of substance is one of the keys to true philosophy

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Thomas Burnett [1703], 1699.01.20/30)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.286


A Reaction

This is a controversial remark at this historical moment, when the apparent Aristotelian commitment to substances was becoming discredited. Personally I would eliminate substance, but not just because physicists don't refer to it.