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Single Idea 5013

[from 'Principles of Philosophy' by René Descartes, in 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined ]

Full Idea

By substance we can understand nothing else than a thing which so exists that it needs no other thing in order to exist.

Gist of Idea

A substance needs nothing else in order to exist

Source

René Descartes (Principles of Philosophy [1646], I.51)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence', ed/tr. Ariew,Roger [Hackett 2000], p.244


A Reaction

Properties, of course, are the things which have dependent existence. Can properties be reduced to substances (e.g. by adopting a materialist theory of mind)? Note that Descartes does not think that substances depend on God for existence.