Ontological dependence and the metaphysics of individual substances

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This volume collects articles that delve into lesser-known aspects of early modern ontological dependence. A central theme is the exploration of dependence relations within early modern theories of individual substances. Key questions include how individual substances depend on one another, their constituents (like matter and form), and divine agency. It also examines how individuality can be conceptualized without undermining the status of particulars as substances. These inquiries reveal intriguing connections between ontological dependence and various prominent issues in early modern metaphysics, such as the distinction between absolute and ordained divine potency, the nature of emanative causation, and the emergence of forms from the potencies of matter. Additionally, it addresses the relationship between material and immaterial extension, the concept of physical indivisibility, and the understanding of soul and body as incomplete entities. Furthermore, the volume discusses the relationship between simple and composite substances, enriching the discourse on how ontological dependence shapes our understanding of individuality and substance in early modern thought.