Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome | |||
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Forces: A. In physics, a force is an influence that can change an object's velocity, i.e., to accelerate. Forces are vector quantities, meaning they have both magnitude and direction. - B. In philosophy the discussion ist often about the assertive force. Gottlob Frege argued that assertive force is an essential part of the meaning of a sentence, but that it is distinct from the truth conditions of the sentence. The truth conditions of a sentence determine whether it is true or false, while the assertive force determines what the speaker is doing by uttering the sentence. See also Truth conditions, Meaning, Assertions, Speech acts._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
Author | Concept | Summary/Quotes | Sources |
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G.W. Leibniz on Forces - Dictionary of Arguments
Holz I 97f Single/substance/force/Leibniz: every single substance is to be understood as a force center. The present state carries within itself the law of its generation and the law of its continuation. Force/Leibniz: Time, movement and change are manifestations of the original active force (vis primitiva activa) or of the striving for change of state (appetitus). >Substance/Leibniz. I 99 Force/Passivity/Leibniz: force also includes the ability to adapt one's own condition passively to the changes of the other substances. (Suffering). Thus the original force is divided: in vis activa and vis passiva. Leibniz also calls the "points of force" "metaphysical points." >Metaphysics/Leibniz. I 100 The original force is on all sides by the individual substances, which cannot be unfolded at will. Thus the derived forces are only modifications of the original force. Force/LeibnizVsDescartes: mere expansion is not enough! Therefore, one must add the force. I 101 The merely extensive mass carries in itself no principle of qualitative distinction, since expansion is purely quantitative. Only in this way movement and change can occur. Nature must be explained from its own concept. I 106 Possibility/Leibniz: Possible things are always equipped with the active power to strive for reality. Otherwise nothing would exist. One cannot say with reason "certain possibilities" would have the tendency, "others" would not have them. Force/Leibniz: is the act of capability equipped with striving. Reality/Leibniz: there are (infinitely many) gradations between possibility and reality. >Reality/Leibniz. I 107 Single/Substances/Leibniz: points of force. I 108 Ambiguous: "acting in itself" and "acting upon oneself". The latter denotes precisely the transition of the outward action. The unity of both types of force is repeated at every point of force. The individual substances have spontaneity. They have no other action or suffering than that which they themselves produce. Absolute autonomy of substances._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Lei II G. W. Leibniz Philosophical Texts (Oxford Philosophical Texts) Oxford 1998 Holz I Hans Heinz Holz Leibniz Frankfurt 1992 Holz II Hans Heinz Holz Descartes Frankfurt/M. 1994 |