Single Idea 15268

[catalogued under 7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 4. Events / b. Events as primitive]

Full Idea

On our view, 'event' is to be understood in terms of the ontology of enduring things, while on the Humean view enduring things are conceived to be constructions of events.

Gist of Idea

Humeans construct their objects from events, but we construct events from objects

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 6.IV)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.109


A Reaction

It has quite hard to take either objects or events, given that they seem to be amenable to analysis. I am tempted to take essences as primitive. They fix identity, endure change, bear accidental properties (including temporary intrinsics).