Christian WolffThinkers

Essence is simply the 'possibility' of a thing. The essence of gum is for it to be chewed, to stick things together, and to be given to a friend with bad breath. Its essence is not to be used in hammering in nails or in taking photographs.

Imagination is problematic in that its association with sensibility as detracting from the clarity and distinctness of rational thought.

Mathematics is a science that aims to measure everything that can be measured.

Metaphysics is concerned with general metaphysics (ontology-transcendental analytic) and with special metaphysics (cosmology, psychology and theology).

Ontology is knowledge of such things as the world, the soul, and God.

Panic is a sudden desertion of the self, and a going over to the enemy of one's imagination.

Time is a confused concept which could, to a certain extent, be clarified through analysis.