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Single Idea 19349

[filed under theme 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / a. Substance ]

Full Idea

The nature of an individual substance or of a complete being is to have a notion so complete that it is sufficient to contain and to allow us to deduce from it all the predicates of the subject to which this notion is attributed.

Gist of Idea

The complete notion of a substance implies all of its predicates or attributes

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (Discourse on Metaphysics [1686], §8)

Book Ref

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Philosophical Essays', ed/tr. Arlew,R /Garber,D [Hackett 1989], p.41


A Reaction

This is the unusual Leibnizian view of such things, which he takes to extremes. I think it depends on whether you are talking of predicates, or of real intrinsic properties. I don't see how what happens to a substance can be contained in the subject.


The 13 ideas from 'Discourse on Metaphysics'

Substances mirror God or the universe, each from its own viewpoint [Leibniz]
People argue for God's free will, but it isn't needed if God acts in perfection following supreme reason [Leibniz]
Future contingent events are certain, because God foresees them, but that doesn't make them necessary [Leibniz]
The immediate cause of movements is more real [than geometry] [Leibniz]
Knowledge doesn't just come from the senses; we know the self, substance, identity, being etc. [Leibniz]
Mind and body can't influence one another, but God wouldn't intervene in the daily routine [Leibniz]
Animals lack morality because they lack self-reflection [Leibniz]
If a person's memories became totally those of the King of China, he would be the King of China [Leibniz]
Subjects include predicates, so full understanding of subjects reveals all the predicates [Leibniz]
Leibniz is some form of haecceitist [Leibniz, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
The complete notion of a substance implies all of its predicates or attributes [Leibniz]
Forms are of no value in physics, but are indispensable in metaphysics [Leibniz]
Reason avoids multiplying hypotheses or principles [Leibniz]