Single Idea 12999

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic]

Full Idea

Primary powers are what make up the substances themselves; derivative powers, or 'faculties' if you like, are merely 'ways of being' - and they must be derived from substances.

Gist of Idea

Substances are primary powers; their ways of being are the derivative powers

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 4.03)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.379


A Reaction

We might talk of 'deep' and 'surface' properties, or maybe 'powers' and 'qualities' is better. 'Primary' and 'derivative' only gives the logical relationship, but not the causal relationship.

Related Idea

Idea 12969 The active powers which are not essential to the substance are the 'real qualities' [Leibniz]