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Single Idea 17303

[filed under theme 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 1. Grounding / a. Nature of grounding ]

Full Idea

I think the most promising skeptical strategy is to insist on either identity or elimination wherever grounding is alleged to hold.

Gist of Idea

The best critique of grounding says it is actually either identity or elimination

Source

Paul Audi (Clarification and Defense of Grounding [2012], 3.9)

Book Ref

'Metaphysical Grounding', ed/tr. Correia,F/Schnieder,B [CUP 2012], p.121


A Reaction

This comes after an assessment of the critiques of grounding by Oliver, Hofweber and Daly. So we don't say chemistry grounds biology, we either say biology is chemistry, or that there is no biology. Everything is just simples. Not for me.


The 12 ideas from 'Clarification and Defense of Grounding'

Avoid 'in virtue of' for grounding, since it might imply a reflexive relation such as identity [Audi,P]
Ground relations depend on the properties [Audi,P]
Grounding is a singular relation between worldly facts [Audi,P]
Worldly facts are obtaining states of affairs, with constituents; conceptual facts also depend on concepts [Audi,P]
Two things being identical (like water and H2O) is not an explanation [Audi,P]
There are plenty of examples of non-causal explanation [Audi,P]
We must accept grounding, for our important explanations [Audi,P]
A ball's being spherical non-causally determines its power to roll [Audi,P]
If grounding relates facts, properties must be included, as well as objects [Audi,P]
Reduction is just identity, so the two things are the same fact, so reduction isn't grounding [Audi,P]
Ground is irreflexive, asymmetric, transitive, non-monotonic etc. [Audi,P]
The best critique of grounding says it is actually either identity or elimination [Audi,P]