ABSTRACT
Descartes' theory, which identified the primary physical existent not with bodies but with the mathematical res extensa, was thus in significant inconsistency with this modern conception of the science of physics. More recognized that this conception of the extension of spirit led to some most important conclusions when its implications were developed. First, the extension of this spiritus naturae must be more general than the extension of corporeal matter. The conception of a spiritus naturae extending everywhere is to be found a complete solution to the problem of the void, which had hitherto proved so troublesome to the theory of corporeal atomism and in general to the modern doctrine of matter as corporeal substance. In this conception of a spiritus naturae, therefore, Henry More had a solution not only to the problem of the principle of activity of matter, but also to the problems entailed by the concept of locomotion, problems which had involved Descartes in grave difficulty.
