Single Idea 6618

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 2. Objects that Change]

Full Idea

By 'substance', in the context of the mind, we mean a persisting object or thing which can undergo changes in its properties over time while remaining one and the same thing.

Gist of Idea

A 'substance' is a thing that remains the same when its properties change

Source

E.J. Lowe (Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind [2000], Ch. 2)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.13


A Reaction

A neat account of the traditional philosophical notion of a substance. It invites the obvious question of how you know that a thing is the same if all of its properties seem to have changed (as with Descartes' wax). Epistemology discredits ontology.