Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Metaphysics', 'Principles of Nature and Grace based on Reason' and 'Proslogion'

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2 ideas

7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 4. Ontological Dependence
Prior things can exist without posterior things, but not vice versa [Aristotle]
     Full Idea: Prior things can have being without posterior things, without the posterior being able to have being without the prior, to adopt Plato's distinction.
     From: Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1019a04)
     A reaction: Fine quotes this, in expounding Aristotle's account of essence.
7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 6. Fundamentals / c. Monads
A monad and its body are living, so life is everywhere, and comes in infinite degrees [Leibniz]
     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.
     From: Gottfried Leibniz (Principles of Nature and Grace based on Reason [1714], 4)
     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.