Single Idea 12776

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance]

Full Idea

Every substance is alive.

Gist of Idea

Every substance is alive

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1712.02.05)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.200


A Reaction

The most charitable interpretation of this is that substances are what have unity, and the best model of unity that we can grasp is the unity of an organism. The less charitable view is that he literally thinks a pebble is 'alive'. Hm.