Single Idea 19408

[catalogued under 28. God / C. Attitudes to God / 2. Pantheism]

Full Idea

To say that nature itself or the substance of all things is God is a pernicious doctrine, recently introduced into the world or renewed by a subtle or profane author.

Gist of Idea

To say that nature or the one universal substance is God is a pernicious doctrine

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (On Nature Itself (De Ipsa Natura) [1698], 8)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.160


A Reaction

The dastardly profane author is, of course, Spinoza, whom Leibniz had met in 1676. The doctrine may be pernicious to religious orthodoxy, but to me it is rather baffling, since in my understanding nature and God have almost nothing in common.