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Single Idea 15456

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

Full Idea

Kim suggest that 'extrinsic' properties are those that imply 'accompaniment' (coexisting with some wholly distinct contingent object), whereas 'intrinsic' properties are compatible with 'loneliness' (being un-accompanied).

Gist of Idea

Extrinsic properties, unlike intrinsics, imply the existence of a separate object

Source

report of Jaegwon Kim (Psychophysical supervenience [1982], 9th pg) by David Lewis - Extrinsic Properties II

Book Ref

Lewis,David: 'Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology' [CUP 1999], p.113


A Reaction

The aim of Kim and Lewis is to get the ontological commitment down to a minimum - in this case just to objects (and mysterious 'implications'!). I like nominalism, but you can't just deny properties. 'Loneliness' is extrinsic!


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]