Single Idea 12753

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 6. Essence as Unifier]

Full Idea

Some realising thing must bring it about that composite substance contains something substantial besides monads, otherwise composites will be mere phenomena. The scholastics' active and passive powers are the substantial bond I am urging.

Gist of Idea

A substantial bond of powers is needed to unite composites, in addition to monads

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Des Bosses [1715], 1716.01.13), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 9

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.379


A Reaction

[compressed] This appears to be a major retreat, in the last year of Leibniz's life, from the full monadology he had espoused. How do monads connect to matter, and thus unify it? He is returning to Aristotelian hylomorphism.

Related Ideas

Idea 12774 Without a substantial chain to link monads, they would just be coordinated dreams [Leibniz]

Idea 12777 Monads do not make a unity unless a substantial chain is added to them [Leibniz]

Idea 12778 There is active and passive power in the substantial chain and in the essence of a composite [Leibniz]