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Single Idea 17554

[from 'Monadology' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 7. Indiscernible Objects ]

Full Idea

There are never two beings in nature that are perfectly alike, two beings in which it is not possible to discover an internal difference, that is, one founded on an intrinsic denomination.

Gist of Idea

There must be some internal difference between any two beings in nature

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Monadology [1716], §09)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.214


A Reaction

From this it follows that if two things really are indiscernible, then we must say that they are one thing. He says monads all differ from one another. People certainly do. Leibniz must say this of electrons. How can he know this?