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Single Idea 15765
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties
]
Full Idea
I should probably modify my view, and say that properties are individuated by their possible causes as well as by their possible effects.
Gist of Idea
Actually, properties are individuated by causes as well as effects
Source
Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §11)
Book Ref
Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.233
A Reaction
(This is in an afterword responding to criticism by Richard Boyd) He doesn't use the word 'individuate' in the essay. That term always strikes me as smacking too much of epistemology, and not enough of ontology. Who cares how you individuate something?
The
56 ideas
from Sydney Shoemaker
15093
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We might say laws are necessary by combining causal properties with Armstrong-Dretske-Tooley laws
[Shoemaker]
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15091
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Restrict 'logical truth' to formal logic, rather than including analytic and metaphysical truths
[Shoemaker]
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15095
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A property's causal features are essential, and only they fix its identity
[Shoemaker]
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15097
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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
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'Grue' only has causal features because of its relation to green
[Shoemaker]
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15099
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If something is possible, but not nomologically possible, we need metaphysical possibility
[Shoemaker]
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15098
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Empirical evidence shows that imagining a phenomenon can show it is possible
[Shoemaker]
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15100
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Imagination reveals conceptual possibility, where descriptions avoid contradiction or incoherence
[Shoemaker]
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15101
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Once you give up necessity as a priori, causal necessity becomes the main type of necessity
[Shoemaker]
|
9485
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Universals concern how things are, and how they could be
[Shoemaker, by Bird]
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12678
|
Shoemaker says all genuine properties are dispositional
[Shoemaker, by Ellis]
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8542
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If causality is between events, there must be reference to the properties involved
[Shoemaker]
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8543
|
Genuine properties are closely related to genuine changes
[Shoemaker]
|
8545
|
A causal theory of properties focuses on change, not (say) on abstract properties of numbers
[Shoemaker]
|
15756
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Some truths are not because of a thing's properties, but because of the properties of related things
[Shoemaker]
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15758
|
Things have powers in virtue of (which are entailed by) their properties
[Shoemaker]
|
8547
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One power can come from different properties; a thing's powers come from its properties
[Shoemaker]
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15757
|
'Square', 'round' and 'made of copper' show that not all properties are dispositional
[Shoemaker]
|
8548
|
Dispositional predicates ascribe powers, and the rest ascribe properties
[Shoemaker]
|
15761
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We should abandon the idea that properties are the meanings of predicate expressions
[Shoemaker]
|
15759
|
The identity of a property concerns its causal powers
[Shoemaker]
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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]
|
8555
|
There is no subset of properties which guarantee a thing's identity
[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]
|
8551
|
Properties must be essentially causal if we can know and speak about them
[Shoemaker]
|
8553
|
It looks as if the immutability of the powers of a property imply essentiality
[Shoemaker]
|
8554
|
Possible difference across worlds depends on difference across time in the actual world
[Shoemaker]
|
8556
|
Grueness is not, unlike green and blue, associated with causal potential
[Shoemaker]
|
8557
|
To ascertain genuine properties, examine the object directly
[Shoemaker]
|
8558
|
One system has properties, powers, events, similarity and substance
[Shoemaker]
|
8559
|
Analysis aims at internal relationships, not reduction
[Shoemaker]
|
4040
|
The notions of property and of causal power are parts of a single system of related concepts
[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]
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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]
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8598
|
If things turn red for an hour and then explode, we wouldn't say the redness was the cause
[Shoemaker]
|