Full Idea
Those philosophers who attribute to matter the power of gravitation, and other active powers, teach us, at the same time, that matter is a substance altogether inert, and merely passive; …that those powers are impressed on it by some external cause.
Gist of Idea
Thinkers say that matter has intrinsic powers, but is also passive and acted upon
Source
Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 1: Active power [1788], 6)
Book Reference
Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.309
A Reaction
This shows the dilemma of the period, when 'laws of nature' were imposed on passive matter by God, and yet gravity and magnetism appeared as inherent properties of matter.
Related Idea
Idea 5467 Euler said nature is instrinsically passive, and minds cause change [Euler, by Ellis]