Single Idea 12981

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 4. Essence as Definition]

Full Idea

Essence is fundamentally nothing but the possibility of the thing under consideration. Something which is thought possible is expressed by a definition.

Gist of Idea

Essence is just the possibility of a thing

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 3.03)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.293


A Reaction

It is unclear whether he means 'possible modes of existence' or 'possible actions of the thing'. Leibniz sees more clearly than Aristotle that essences extend beyond the actual thing, because Leibniz is more aware of the active powers.

Related Idea

Idea 13087 The essence of a thing is its real possibilities [Leibniz, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]