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Single Idea 17304

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

Full Idea

Grounding is something like metaphysical causation. Just as causation links the world across time, grounding links the world across levels. Grounding connects the more fundamental to the less fundamental, and thereby backs a certain form of explanation.

Gist of Idea

As causation links across time, grounding links the world across levels

Source

Jonathan Schaffer (Grounding, Transitivity and Contrastivity [2012], Intro)

Book Ref

'Metaphysical Grounding', ed/tr. Correia,F/Schnieder,B [CUP 2012], p.122

A Reaction

Obviously you need 'levels' for this, which we should take to be structural levels.

The 5 ideas from 'Grounding, Transitivity and Contrastivity'

17304 As causation links across time, grounding links the world across levels [Schaffer,J]
17306 If ground is transitive and irreflexive, it has a strict partial ordering, giving structure [Schaffer,J]
17305 I take what is fundamental to be the whole spatiotemporal manifold and its fields [Schaffer,J]
17307 Nowadays causation is usually understood in terms of equations and variable ranges [Schaffer,J]
17308 Explaining 'Adam ate the apple' depends on emphasis, and thus implies a contrast [Schaffer,J]