Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Archimedes, George Molnar and Justus Lipsius

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2 ideas

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 1. Structure of an Object
There are no 'structural properties', as properties with parts [Molnar]
     Full Idea: There are no 'structural properties', if by that we mean a property that has properties as parts.
     From: George Molnar (Powers [1998], 9.1.2)
     A reaction: There do seem to be properties that result from arranging more basic properties in one way rather than another (e.g. arranging the metal in a knife to be 'sharp'). But I think Molnar is right that they are not part of basic ontology.
Structural properties are derivate properties [Molnar]
     Full Idea: Structural properties are clear examples of derivative properties.
     From: George Molnar (Powers [1998], 1.4.3)
     A reaction: This is an important question in the debate. Presumably you can't just reduce structural properties to more basic ones, because one set of basic properties might appear in many different structures. Ellis defends structural properties in metaphysics.