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Single Idea 19377

[from 'Principles of Nature and Grace based on Reason' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / c. Monads ]

Full Idea

Each monad, together with a particular body, makes up a living substance. Thus, there is not only life everywhere, joined to limbs or organs, but there are also infinite degrees of life in the monads, some dominating more or less over others.

Gist of Idea

A monad and its body are living, so life is everywhere, and comes in infinite degrees

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Principles of Nature and Grace based on Reason [1714], 4)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.208


A Reaction

Two key ideas: that each monad is linked to a body (which is presumably passive), and the infinite degrees of life in monads. Thus rocks consist of monads, but at an exceedingly low degree of life. They are stubborn and responsive.