Substance theory fails because removing all properties leaves nothing behind

Evidence

A substance is supposed to be the subject of properties, and to be something distinct from all its properties. But when we take away the properties, and try to imagine the substance by itself, we find that there is nothing left. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 859

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 859
• XREF: connects to: Nothing must have no properties, so the concept of nothing is self-defeating for existence. — Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? | Issue 125; Conceptualization inevitably imposes form on formless life — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 1018; Matter and form are fictitious decompositions of substance — Jeremy Bentham, The Panopticon Writings, 450

Broader Connections

• Conceptualization inevitably imposes form on formless life #complicates (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 1018