Single Idea 21340

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 1. Nature of Relations]

Full Idea

A striking idea is that relations are ontologically primary: monadic, non-relational features of the world are constituted by relations. A view of this kind is defended by Peirce, and contemporary 'structural realists' like Ladyman.

Gist of Idea

Maybe all the other features of the world can be reduced to relations

Source

John Heil (Relations [2009], 'Relational')

Book Reference

'Routledge Companion to Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin/Simons etc [Routledge 2012], p.310


A Reaction

I can't make sense of this proposal, which seems to offer relations with no relata. What is a relation? What is it made of? How do you individuate two instances of a relations, without reference to the relata?