more from this thinker     |     more from this text

Single Idea 15459

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

Full Idea

The property of being an ellipsoidal star would seem offhand to be a basic intrinsic property, but it is incompatible (nomologically) with being an isolated object.

Clarification

'Nomological' refers to the laws of nature

Gist of Idea

Ellipsoidal stars seem to have an intrinsic property which depends on other objects

Source

David Lewis (Defining 'Intrinsic' (with Rae Langton) [1998], V)

Book Ref

Lewis,David: 'Papers in Metaphysics and Epistemology' [CUP 1999], p.122

A Reaction

Another nice example from Lewis. It makes you wonder whether the intrinsic/extrinsic distinction should go. Modern physics, with its 'entanglements', doesn't seem to suit the distinction.

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

18910 To seek truth, study the real connections between subjects and attributes [Aristotle]
15874 Scientific properties are not observed qualities, but the dispositions which create them [Harré]
15456 Extrinsic properties, unlike intrinsics, imply the existence of a separate object [Kim, by Lewis]
15400 We must avoid circularity between what is intrinsic and what is natural [Lewis, by Cameron]
15458 A property is 'intrinsic' iff it can never differ between duplicates [Lewis]
15459 Ellipsoidal stars seem to have an intrinsic property which depends on other objects [Lewis]
14979 Being alone doesn't guarantee intrinsic properties; 'being alone' is itself extrinsic [Lewis, by Sider]
15454 Extrinsic properties come in degrees, with 'brother' less extrinsic than 'sibling' [Lewis]
15742 A disjunctive property can be unnatural, but intrinsic if its disjuncts are intrinsic [Lewis]
15741 All of the natural properties are included among the intrinsic properties [Lewis]
15397 If a global intrinsic never varies between possible duplicates, all necessary properties are intrinsic [Cameron on Lewis]
15398 Global intrinsic may make necessarily coextensive properties both intrinsic or both extrinsic [Cameron on Lewis]
15435 If you think universals are immanent, you must believe them to be sparse, and not every related predicate [Lewis]
14093 An 'intrinsic' property is one that depends on a thing and its parts, and not on its relations [Rosen]
6145 Intrinsic properties are those an object still has even if only that object exists [Merricks]
14088 An 'intrinsic' property is either found in every duplicate, or exists independent of all externals [Linnebo]
15401 Essentialists say intrinsic properties arise from what the thing is, irrespective of surroundings [Cameron]
15393 An object's intrinsic properties are had in virtue of how it is, independently [Cameron]