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Single Idea 7966

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

Full Idea

If a relation between qualities is to be something, then clearly we will now require a new connecting relation. The links are united by a link, and this link has two ends, which require a fresh link to connect them to the old.

Gist of Idea

Relations must be linked to their qualities, but that implies an infinite regress of relations

Source

F.H. Bradley (Appearance and Reality [1893], p.28), quoted by Cynthia Macdonald - Varieties of Things Ch.6

Book Ref

Macdonald,Cynthia: 'Varieties of Things' [Blackwell 2005], p.247

A Reaction

That is: external relations generates an infinite regress, so relations must be internal. Russell launched his own philosophy with an attack on Bradley's idea. Personally I take how two things 'relate' to one another as one of the deepest of mysteries.

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

21347 If Simmias is taller than Socrates, that isn't a feature that is just in Simmias [Plato]
22080 The nature of each category relates itself to another [Hegel]
6422 Internal relations are said to be intrinsic properties of two terms, and of the whole they compose [Bradley, by Russell]
7966 Relations must be linked to their qualities, but that implies an infinite regress of relations [Bradley]
21342 A relation is internal if two things possessing the relation could not fail to be related [Moore,GE, by Heil]
7968 A relation is internal if it is unthinkable that its object should not possess it [Wittgenstein]
7969 The order of numbers is an internal relation, not an external one [Wittgenstein]
21351 Truthmaking is a clear example of an internal relation [Heil]
21344 If R internally relates a and b, and you have a and b, you thereby have R [Heil]
21348 In the case of 5 and 6, their relational truthmaker is just the numbers [Heil]
18532 If causal relations are power manifestations, that makes them internal relations [Heil]
21353 Internal relations are fixed by existences, or characters, or supervenience on characters [MacBride]
7938 Relational properties are clearly not essential to substances [Macdonald,C]
14925 The normal assumption is that relations depend on properties of the relata [Ladyman/Ross]
18336 Internal relations depend either on the existence of the relata, or on their properties [Rami]