Single Idea 12939

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 2. Abstract Objects / c. Modern abstracta]

Full Idea

Things which are uniform, containing no variety, are always mere abstractions: for instance, time, space, and the other entities of pure mathematics.

Gist of Idea

Wholly uniform things like space and numbers are mere abstractions

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.01)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.109


A Reaction

I presume that being 'mere abstractions' denies them ontological status, and makes them creations of thought. If so, I like this idea a lot.