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Single Idea 15397

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 4. Intrinsic Properties ]

Full Idea

Lewis defines a globally intrinsic property as one that never varies between duplicates across possible worlds. This has the immediate problem that any property that is necessarily had, or necessarily lacked, by every thing will be intrinsic.

Gist of Idea

If a global intrinsic never varies between possible duplicates, all necessary properties are intrinsic

Source

comment on David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], p.61-2) by Ross P. Cameron - Intrinsic and Extrinsic Properties 'Analysis'

Book Ref

'Routledge Companion to Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin/Simons etc [Routledge 2012], p.268


A Reaction

[He also cites Langton and Lewis 1998] To me this is the sort of tangle you get into when you equate properties with predicates. The problem seems to concern necessary predicates (but those may not be necessary properties).

Related Idea

Idea 15398 Global intrinsic may make necessarily coextensive properties both intrinsic or both extrinsic [Cameron on Lewis]


The 18 ideas with the same theme [properties that involve no other objects]:

To seek truth, study the real connections between subjects and attributes [Aristotle]
Scientific properties are not observed qualities, but the dispositions which create them [Harré]
Extrinsic properties, unlike intrinsics, imply the existence of a separate object [Kim, by Lewis]
We must avoid circularity between what is intrinsic and what is natural [Lewis, by Cameron]
A property is 'intrinsic' iff it can never differ between duplicates [Lewis]
Ellipsoidal stars seem to have an intrinsic property which depends on other objects [Lewis]
Being alone doesn't guarantee intrinsic properties; 'being alone' is itself extrinsic [Lewis, by Sider]
Extrinsic properties come in degrees, with 'brother' less extrinsic than 'sibling' [Lewis]
A disjunctive property can be unnatural, but intrinsic if its disjuncts are intrinsic [Lewis]
All of the natural properties are included among the intrinsic properties [Lewis]
If a global intrinsic never varies between possible duplicates, all necessary properties are intrinsic [Cameron on Lewis]
Global intrinsic may make necessarily coextensive properties both intrinsic or both extrinsic [Cameron on Lewis]
If you think universals are immanent, you must believe them to be sparse, and not every related predicate [Lewis]
An 'intrinsic' property is one that depends on a thing and its parts, and not on its relations [Rosen]
Intrinsic properties are those an object still has even if only that object exists [Merricks]
An 'intrinsic' property is either found in every duplicate, or exists independent of all externals [Linnebo]
Essentialists say intrinsic properties arise from what the thing is, irrespective of surroundings [Cameron]
An object's intrinsic properties are had in virtue of how it is, independently [Cameron]