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Single Idea 14534
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties
]
Full Idea
Shoemaker ventured the theory in 1980 that properties just are clusters of powers, but he has subsequently abandoned this, and now thinks properties bestow their bearers with causal powers.
Gist of Idea
Shoemaker moved from properties as powers to properties bestowing powers
Source
report of Sydney Shoemaker (Self, Body and Coincidence [1999], p.297) by S.Mumford/R.Lill Anjum - Getting Causes from Powers 1.1
Book Ref
Anjum,R.J./Mumford,S.: 'Getting Causes from Powers' [OUP 2011], p.3
A Reaction
Like Mumford and Anjum, I prefer the earlier theory. I think taking powers as basic is the only story that really makes sense. A power is intrinsic and primitive, whereas properties are complex, messy, partly subjective, and higher level.
The
56 ideas
from Sydney Shoemaker
15091
|
Restrict 'logical truth' to formal logic, rather than including analytic and metaphysical truths
[Shoemaker]
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15093
|
We might say laws are necessary by combining causal properties with Armstrong-Dretske-Tooley laws
[Shoemaker]
|
15095
|
A property's causal features are essential, and only they fix its identity
[Shoemaker]
|
15097
|
I claim that a property has its causal features in all possible worlds
[Shoemaker]
|
15094
|
I now deny that properties are cluster of powers, and take causal properties as basic
[Shoemaker]
|
15096
|
'Grue' only has causal features because of its relation to green
[Shoemaker]
|
15098
|
Empirical evidence shows that imagining a phenomenon can show it is possible
[Shoemaker]
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15100
|
Imagination reveals conceptual possibility, where descriptions avoid contradiction or incoherence
[Shoemaker]
|
15099
|
If something is possible, but not nomologically possible, we need metaphysical possibility
[Shoemaker]
|
15101
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Once you give up necessity as a priori, causal necessity becomes the main type of necessity
[Shoemaker]
|
12678
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Shoemaker says all genuine properties are dispositional
[Shoemaker, by Ellis]
|
9485
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Universals concern how things are, and how they could be
[Shoemaker, by Bird]
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8542
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If causality is between events, there must be reference to the properties involved
[Shoemaker]
|
8545
|
A causal theory of properties focuses on change, not (say) on abstract properties of numbers
[Shoemaker]
|
15756
|
Some truths are not because of a thing's properties, but because of the properties of related things
[Shoemaker]
|
8543
|
Genuine properties are closely related to genuine changes
[Shoemaker]
|
8548
|
Dispositional predicates ascribe powers, and the rest ascribe properties
[Shoemaker]
|
15758
|
Things have powers in virtue of (which are entailed by) their properties
[Shoemaker]
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8547
|
One power can come from different properties; a thing's powers come from its properties
[Shoemaker]
|
15757
|
'Square', 'round' and 'made of copper' show that not all properties are dispositional
[Shoemaker]
|
15759
|
The identity of a property concerns its causal powers
[Shoemaker]
|
15760
|
Properties are clusters of conditional powers
[Shoemaker]
|
8549
|
Properties are functions producing powers, and powers are functions producing effects
[Shoemaker]
|
8550
|
Triangular and trilateral are coextensive, but different concepts; but powers and properties are the same
[Shoemaker]
|
15761
|
We should abandon the idea that properties are the meanings of predicate expressions
[Shoemaker]
|
8553
|
It looks as if the immutability of the powers of a property imply essentiality
[Shoemaker]
|
8555
|
There is no subset of properties which guarantee a thing's identity
[Shoemaker]
|
8551
|
Properties must be essentially causal if we can know and speak about them
[Shoemaker]
|
8554
|
Possible difference across worlds depends on difference across time in the actual world
[Shoemaker]
|
15762
|
Could properties change without the powers changing, or powers change without the properties changing?
[Shoemaker]
|
8552
|
If properties are separated from causal powers, this invites total elimination
[Shoemaker]
|
8557
|
To ascertain genuine properties, examine the object directly
[Shoemaker]
|
8556
|
Grueness is not, unlike green and blue, associated with causal potential
[Shoemaker]
|
4040
|
The notions of property and of causal power are parts of a single system of related concepts
[Shoemaker]
|
8558
|
One system has properties, powers, events, similarity and substance
[Shoemaker]
|
8559
|
Analysis aims at internal relationships, not reduction
[Shoemaker]
|
8560
|
If causal laws describe causal potentialities, the same laws govern properties in all possible worlds
[Shoemaker]
|
15763
|
If properties are causal, then causal necessity is a species of logical necessity
[Shoemaker]
|
8561
|
If a world has different causal laws, it must have different properties
[Shoemaker]
|
15764
|
'Conceivable' is either not-provably-false, or compatible with what we know?
[Shoemaker]
|
8562
|
It is possible to conceive what is not possible
[Shoemaker]
|
15765
|
Actually, properties are individuated by causes as well as effects
[Shoemaker]
|
15092
|
Formerly I said properties are individuated by essential causal powers and causing instantiation
[Shoemaker, by Shoemaker]
|
5687
|
For true introspection, must we be aware that we are aware of our mental events?
[Shoemaker]
|
5688
|
Empirical foundationalism says basic knowledge is self-intimating, and incorrigible or infallible
[Shoemaker]
|
5691
|
The adverbial account of sensation says not 'see a red image' but be 'appeared to redly'
[Shoemaker]
|
1389
|
If memory is the sole criterion of identity, we ought to use it for other people too
[Shoemaker]
|
1390
|
Bodily identity is one criterion and memory another, for personal identity
[Shoemaker, by PG]
|
14534
|
Shoemaker moved from properties as powers to properties bestowing powers
[Shoemaker, by Mumford/Anjum]
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4226
|
If three regions 'freeze' every three, four and five years, after sixty years everything stops for a year
[Shoemaker, by Lowe]
|
8593
|
Maybe billions of changeless years have elapsed since my last meal
[Shoemaker]
|
8594
|
People have had good reasons for thinking that the circle has been squared
[Shoemaker]
|
8595
|
If three regions freeze every 3rd, 4th and 5th year, they all freeze together every 60 years
[Shoemaker]
|
8596
|
Inability to measure equality doesn't make all lengths unequal
[Shoemaker]
|
8597
|
We couldn't verify the earth's rotation if everyone simultaneously fell asleep
[Shoemaker]
|
8598
|
If things turn red for an hour and then explode, we wouldn't say the redness was the cause
[Shoemaker]
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