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Single Idea 22631

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 3. Types of Properties ]

Full Idea

It is said that that properties divide into two mutually exclusive types—non-dispositional qualities (sometimes called 'categorical properties’) vs. non-qualitative dispositions—of which the qualities are more fundamental than dispositions.

Gist of Idea

Properties are said to be categorical qualities or non-qualitative dispositions

Source

R.D. Ingthorsson (A Powerful Particulars View of Causation [2021], 8)

Book Ref

'Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Time', ed/tr. Callender,Craig [OUP 2013], p.123


A Reaction

It is standardly understood that the qualitative categorical properties are more fundamental. Fans of powers (such as Ingthorsson and myself) either favour the dispositional properties, or reject the distinction.


The 17 ideas with the same theme [how properties might be divided into different groups]:

An 'accident' is something which may possibly either belong or not belong to a thing [Aristotle]
An 'attribute' is what the intellect takes as constituting an essence [Spinoza]
Length is a 'determinable' property, and one mile is one its 'determinates' [Armstrong]
The determinates of a determinable must be incompatible with each other [Armstrong]
Properties are 'dispositional', or 'categorical' (the latter as 'block' or 'intrinsic' structures) [Ellis, by PG]
A property is 'emergent' if it is caused by elements of a system, when the elements lack the property [Searle]
Maybe we have abundant properties for semantics, and sparse properties for ontology [Hale/Wright]
We have four options, depending whether particulars and properties are sui generis or constructions [Oliver]
A 'categorial' property is had by virtue of being or having an item from a category [Wedin]
Dispositions and categorical properties are two modes of presentation of the same thing [Mumford]
A property is intrinsic if an object alone in the world can instantiate it [Sider]
Some properties seem to be primitive, but others can be analysed [Merricks]
There might be just one fundamental natural property [Bird]
Being polka-dotted is a 'spatial distribution' property [Cameron]
17th C qualities are either microphysical, or phenomenal, or powers [Pasnau]
A determinate property must be a unique instance of the determinable class [Vetter]
Properties are said to be categorical qualities or non-qualitative dispositions [Ingthorsson]