Single Idea 19379

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / b. Individuation by properties]

Full Idea

That there should be a persistent law of the series, which involves the future states of that which we conceive to be the same, is exactly what I say constitutes it as the same substance.

Gist of Idea

The law of the series, which determines future states of a substance, is what individuates it

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Burcher De Volder [1706], 1704), quoted by Richard T.W. Arthur - Leibniz 4 'Applying'

Book Reference

Arthur, Richard T.W.: 'Leibniz' [Polity 2014], p.96


A Reaction

The 'law of the series' is a bit dubious, but it is reasonable to say that a substance is individuated by its coherent progress of change over time. Disjointed change would imply an absence of substance. The law of the series is called 'primitive force'.