Single Idea 15095

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

Full Idea

The view I now favour says that the causal features of a property, both forward-looking and backward-looking, are essential to it. And it says that properties having the same causal features are identical.

Clarification

'Forward' is what it does, 'backward' is how it became instantiated

Gist of Idea

A property's causal features are essential, and only they fix its identity

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causal and Metaphysical Necessity [1998], III)

Book Reference

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.413


A Reaction

In this formulation we have essentialism about properties, as well as essentialism about the things which have the properties.

Related Idea

Idea 12733 Because of the definitions of cause, effect and power, cause and effect have the same power [Leibniz]