Single Idea 23708

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 1. Nature of Properties]

Full Idea

The Humean view says properties are 'quiddities', which individuates properties by nothing more than their distinctness from one another, so that dispositions are not essential to them, and there is no limit to possible property recombination.

Gist of Idea

Humeans see properties as having no more essential features and relations than their distinctness

Source

report of Friend/Kimpton-Nye (Dispositions and Powers [2023], 3.3.1) by PG - Db (ideas)

Book Reference

Friend/Kimpton-Nye: 'Dispositions and Powers' [CUP 2023], p.48


A Reaction

[my summary] All of this is implied by Hume, rather than stated. David Lewis supports this view. The theory of basic powers is the view's main opponent. This quidditist view is not found in physics, where a property's modal profile matters.

Related Ideas

Idea 23706 Hume's Dictum says no connections are necessary - so mass and spacetime warping could separate [Friend/Kimpton-Nye]

Idea 23709 Dispositions are what individuate properties, and they constitute their essence [Friend/Kimpton-Nye]