more from this thinker
|
more from this text
Single Idea 6618
[filed under theme 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 2. Objects that Change
]
Full Idea
By 'substance', in the context of the mind, we mean a persisting object or thing which can undergo changes in its properties over time while remaining one and the same thing.
Gist of Idea
A 'substance' is a thing that remains the same when its properties change
Source
E.J. Lowe (Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind [2000], Ch. 2)
Book Ref
Lowe,E.J.: 'Introduction to the Philosophy of Mind' [CUP 2000], p.13
A Reaction
A neat account of the traditional philosophical notion of a substance. It invites the obvious question of how you know that a thing is the same if all of its properties seem to have changed (as with Descartes' wax). Epistemology discredits ontology.
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[how identity fares when an object's properties change]:
16159
|
For animate things, only the form, not the matter or properties, must persist through change
[Aristotle, by Frede,M]
|
16173
|
Coming to be is by shape-change, addition, subtraction, composition or alteration
[Aristotle]
|
17042
|
Natural things are their own source of stability through change
[Aristotle]
|
16059
|
Change of matter doesn't destroy identity - in Dion and Theon change is a condition of identity
[Chrysippus, by Long/Sedley]
|
1330
|
If a republic can retain identity through many changes, so can an individual
[Hume]
|
1321
|
If identity survives change or interruption, then resemblance, contiguity or causation must unite the parts of it
[Hume]
|
15220
|
To say something remains the same but lacks its capacities and powers seems a contradiction
[Harré/Madden]
|
15222
|
Some individuals can gain or lose capacities or powers, without losing their identity
[Harré/Madden]
|
15296
|
A particular might change all of its characteristics, retaining mere numerical identity
[Harré/Madden]
|
14737
|
Properties cannot be relations to times, if there are temporary properties which are intrinsic
[Lewis, by Sider]
|
3309
|
If a soldier continues to exist after serving as a soldier, does the wind cease to exist after it ceases to blow?
[Benardete,JA]
|
6618
|
A 'substance' is a thing that remains the same when its properties change
[Lowe]
|
16193
|
'Adverbialism' explains change by saying an object has-at-some-time a given property
[Hawley]
|
16195
|
Presentism solves the change problem: the green banana ceases, so can't 'relate' to the yellow one
[Hawley]
|
16202
|
The problem of change arises if there must be 'identity' of a thing over time
[Hawley]
|
18930
|
Change is instantiation of a non-uniform distributional property, like 'being red-then-orange'
[Cameron]
|
23018
|
How does a changing object retain identity or have incompatible properties over time?
[Baron/Miller]
|