Single Idea 13930

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 3. Three-Dimensionalism]

Full Idea

Persistence offers intelligibility: the possibility of understanding a change, and of understanding the products of it.

Gist of Idea

Persistence makes change and its products intelligible

Source

Sally Haslanger (Persistence, Change and Explanation [1989], 8)

Book Reference

'Persistence: contemporary readings', ed/tr. Haslanger,S/|Kurtz,RM [MIT 2006], p.178


A Reaction

I think this is exactly right, and it is a powerful idea with wide implications for metaphysics. Haslanger claims that an understanding of 'substance' is needed, which leads towards my defence of essentialism.

Related Idea

Idea 13927 We must explain change amongst 'momentary entities', or else the world is inexplicable [Haslanger]