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Single Idea 24393

[catalogued under 9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / e. Substance critique]

Full Idea

The world is full of 'things' that it does not make sense to count as substances; for example: rumours, heatwaves, songs, headaches.

Gist of Idea

The world contains many 'things' which are not substances

Source

Nicholas Rescher (Process Metaphysics [1996], 3.1)

A Reaction

Rescher, of course, prefers to think of them as 'processes'. The word 'process' strikes me as over-emphasising where it is going, at the expense of what it is. Songs and headaches are vivid in the moment, with their duration simply an extra feature.

Book Reference

Rescher,Nicholas: 'Process Metaphysics' [SUNY 1996], p.52