Single Idea 17306

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 1. Grounding / a. Nature of grounding]

Full Idea

By treating grounding as transitive (and irreflexive), one generates a strict partial ordering that induces metaphysical structure.

Gist of Idea

If ground is transitive and irreflexive, it has a strict partial ordering, giving structure

Source

Jonathan Schaffer (Grounding, Transitivity and Contrastivity [2012], Intro)

Book Reference

'Metaphysical Grounding', ed/tr. Correia,F/Schnieder,B [CUP 2012], p.122


A Reaction

Schaffer's paper goes on to attach the claim that grounding is transitive, but I didn't find his examples very convincing.

Related Ideas

Idea 13457 A 'partial ordering' is irreflexive and transitive; the sets are ordered, but not the subsets [Hart,WD]

Idea 13458 A partial ordering becomes 'total' if any two members of its field are comparable [Hart,WD]