Single Idea 12979

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / a. Individuation]

Full Idea

It is impossible for us to know individuals or to find any way of precisely determining the individuality of any thing except by keeping hold of the thing itself.

Gist of Idea

The only way we can determine individuals is by keeping hold of them

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.289


A Reaction

'The tallest woman in London' seems to determine someone perfectly well, though only by cross-referencing universal concepts like 'tall'.