Single Idea 7008

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects]

Full Idea

Philosophers identifying themselves as trope theorists have, by and large, accepted some form of the 'bundle theory' of objects: an object is a bundle of compresent tropes.

Clarification

A 'trope' is a particular instance of a property

Gist of Idea

Trope theorists usually see objects as 'bundles' of tropes

Source

John Heil (From an Ontological Point of View [2003], Intro)

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.12


A Reaction

This view eliminates anything called 'matter' or 'substance' or a 'bare particular'. I think I agree with Heil that this doesn't give a coherent picture, as properties seem to be 'of' something, and bundles always raise the question of what unites them.