Single Idea 16513

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 1. Unifying an Object / a. Intrinsic unification]

Full Idea

For there to be a certain persisting law which involves the future states of that which we conceive as one and the same continuant, this is what I say constitute's a substance's identity.

Gist of Idea

Identity of a substance is the law of its persistence

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (works [1690], G II:264), quoted by David Wiggins - Sameness and Substance 3.1

Book Reference

Wiggins,David: 'Sameness and Substance' [Blackwell 1980], p.85


A Reaction

This is a key remark for those who thing 'persistence conditions' are basic to metaphysics. I'm not so sure.