Single Idea 2329

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 3. Reality]

Full Idea

A plausible criterion for distinguishing what is real from what is not real is the possession of causal power.

Gist of Idea

Causal power is a good way of distinguishing the real from the unreal

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Mind in a Physical World [1998], §4 p.119)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Mind in the Physical World' [MIT 2000], p.119


A Reaction

This is, of course, a physicalist view, but for physicalists it is probably the best criterion of what is real. A standard objection to platonism in mathematics is that it denies mathematics causal powers.

Related Idea

Idea 7022 To be is to have a capacity, to act on other things, or to receive actions [Plato]