Single Idea 12715

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / c. Form as causal]

Full Idea

A standard criticism of the scholastic notions of matter and form is that they are obscure and unintelligible. But in Leibniz's system they are connected directly with notions of active and passive force that play an intelligible roles in his physics.

Gist of Idea

Leibniz strengthened hylomorphism by connecting it to force in physics

Source

report of Gottfried Leibniz (works [1690]) by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 4

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.128


A Reaction

This seems to me to be very appealing. Aristotle was clearly on the right lines, but just ran out of things to say, once he had pointed in the right direction. Maybe 'fields' and 'strings' can fill out the Aristotelian conception of form.