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Single Idea 19425

[from 'Reflections on Knowledge, Truth and Ideas' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 2. Types of cause ]

Full Idea

In the schools the four causes are lumped together as material, formal, efficient, and final causes, but they have no clear definitions, and I would call such a judgment 'obscure'.

Gist of Idea

In the schools the Four Causes are just lumped together in a very obscure way

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Reflections on Knowledge, Truth and Ideas [1684], p.283)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.283


A Reaction

He picks this to illustrate what he means by 'obscure', so he must feel strongly about it. Elsewhere Leibniz embraces efficient and final causes, but says little of the other two. This immediately become clearer as the Four Modes of Explanation.