Single Idea 2107

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / i. Denying time]

Full Idea

How could a thing exist, no part of which ever exists? In the case of time, nothing exists but instants, and an instant is not even a part of time.

Gist of Idea

No time exists except instants, and instants are not even a part of time, so time does not exist

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Letters to Samuel Clarke [1716], 5.49)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Parkinson,G.H.R. [Dent 1973], p.233