Impenetrability

Summary

In metaphysics, impenetrability is the name given to that quality of matter whereby two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time. The philosopher John Toland argued that impenetrability and extension were sufficient to define matter, a contention strongly disputed by Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz.

Locke considered impenetrability to be "more a consequence of solidity, than solidity itself."[1]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Locke, John. IV An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Oregon State University. {{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)

References edit

  • This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainWood, James, ed. (1907). The Nuttall Encyclopædia. London and New York: Frederick Warne. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Heinemann, F. H. "Toland and Leibniz." The Philosophical Review, Vol. 54, No. 5. (September, 1945), pp. 437–457.