Combining Texts

All the ideas for 'Leibniz: Guide for the Perplexed', 'Reasons for Actions and Desires' and '14: Superstition'

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3 ideas

9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined

19347	Substance needs independence, unity, and stability (for individuation); also it is a subject, for predicates [Perkins]
	Full Idea: For individuation, substance needs three properties: independence, to separate it from other things; unity, to call it one thing, rather than an aggregate; and permanence or stability over time. Its other role is as subject for predicates.
	From: Franklin Perkins (Leibniz: Guide for the Perplexed [2007], 3.1)
	A reaction: Perkins is describing the Aristotelian view, which is taken up by Leibniz. 'Substance' is not a controversial idea, if we see that it only means that the world is full of 'things'. It is an unusual philosopher wholly totally denies that.

20. Action / C. Motives for Action / 3. Acting on Reason / b. Intellectualism

22393	I don't understand the idea of a reason for acting, but it is probably the agent's interests or desires [Foot]
	Full Idea: I am sure I do not understand the idea of a reason for acting, and I wonder whether anyone else does either. I incline to the view that all such reasons depend either on the agent's interests (meaning here what is in his interest) or else on his desires.
	From: Philippa Foot (Reasons for Actions and Desires [1972], p.156 Post)
	A reaction: It seems common to assume that a reason for an action must be something rational, but it makes sense to say that the reason for someone's action was an irrational whim. Is the reason for an action just the cause of the action?

28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 5. Atheism

5957	Absurd superstitions make people atheist, not disharmony in nature [Plutarch]
	Full Idea: Men have never thought the universe godless on the ground of detecting some fault in stars or seasons; ..it is the ridiculous things that superstition does that makes people say it would be better if there were no gods at all.
	From: Plutarch (14: Superstition [c.85], §12)
	A reaction: Not true, I would say. Absurd superstitions do discredit belief in the supernatural, but earthquakes are a disharmony in nature, and a nasty one at that. Nowadays we have other explanations to rival those of religion.