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Single Idea 18336

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 2. Internal Relations ]

Full Idea

An internal relation is 'existential' if x and y relate in that way whenever they both exist. An internal relation is 'qualitative' if x and y relate in that way whenever they have certain intrinsic properties.

Gist of Idea

Internal relations depend either on the existence of the relata, or on their properties

Source

Adolph Rami (Introduction: Truth and Truth-Making [2009], 05)

Book Ref

'Truth and Truth-Making', ed/tr. Lowe,E.J./Rami,A. [Acumen 2009], p.8


A Reaction

[compressed - Rami likes to write these things in fashionable quasi-algebra, but I have a strong prejudice in this database for expressing ideas in English; call me old-fashioned] The distinction strikes me as simplistic. I would involve dispositions.


The 15 ideas with the same theme [relations as intrinsic features of the things that are related]:

If Simmias is taller than Socrates, that isn't a feature that is just in Simmias [Plato]
The nature of each category relates itself to another [Hegel]
Internal relations are said to be intrinsic properties of two terms, and of the whole they compose [Bradley, by Russell]
Relations must be linked to their qualities, but that implies an infinite regress of relations [Bradley]
A relation is internal if two things possessing the relation could not fail to be related [Moore,GE, by Heil]
A relation is internal if it is unthinkable that its object should not possess it [Wittgenstein]
The order of numbers is an internal relation, not an external one [Wittgenstein]
Truthmaking is a clear example of an internal relation [Heil]
If R internally relates a and b, and you have a and b, you thereby have R [Heil]
In the case of 5 and 6, their relational truthmaker is just the numbers [Heil]
If causal relations are power manifestations, that makes them internal relations [Heil]
Internal relations are fixed by existences, or characters, or supervenience on characters [MacBride]
Relational properties are clearly not essential to substances [Macdonald,C]
The normal assumption is that relations depend on properties of the relata [Ladyman/Ross]
Internal relations depend either on the existence of the relata, or on their properties [Rami]