Single Idea 8912

[catalogued under 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 5. Abstracta by Negation]

Full Idea

If any characterization of the abstract deserves to be regarded as the modern standard one, it is this: an abstract entity is a non-spatial (or non-spatiotemporal) causally inert thing. This view presents a number of perplexities...

Gist of Idea

Nowadays abstractions are defined as non-spatial, causally inert things

Source

Gideon Rosen (Abstract Objects [2001], 'Non-spat')

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.3


A Reaction

As indicated in other ideas, the problem is that some abstractions do seem to be located somewhere in space-time, and to have come into existence, and to pass away. I like 'to exist is to have causal powers'. See Ideas 5992 and 8300.

Related Ideas

Idea 5992 Chrysippus says action is the criterion for existence, which must be physical [Chrysippus, by Tieleman]

Idea 8300 Perhaps possession of causal power is the hallmark of existence (and a reason to deny the void) [Lowe]