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Single Idea 4034
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 10. Properties as Predicates
]
Full Idea
Evading properties by means of predicates is implausible when things change. If a cold thing becomes hot, first 'cold' applies, and then 'hot', but what have predicates to do with the temperature of an object?
Clarification
The claim is that properties are in nature, not in language
Gist of Idea
Whether we apply 'cold' or 'hot' to an object is quite separate from its change of temperature
Source
David M. Armstrong (Properties [1992], §1)
Book Ref
'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.161
A Reaction
A clear illustration of why properties are part of nature, not just part of language. But some applications of predicates are more arbitrary than this (ugly, cool)
The
17 ideas
from 'Properties'
4036
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What matters is not how many entities we postulate, but how many kinds of entities
[Armstrong, by Mellor/Oliver]
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8533
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Predicates need ontological correlates to ensure that they apply
[Armstrong]
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4035
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There must be some explanation of why certain predicates are applicable to certain objects
[Armstrong]
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4034
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Whether we apply 'cold' or 'hot' to an object is quite separate from its change of temperature
[Armstrong]
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8535
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To the claim that every predicate has a property, start by eliminating failure of application of predicate
[Armstrong]
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8529
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Deniers of properties and relations rely on either predicates or on classes
[Armstrong]
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8532
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Resemblances must be in certain 'respects', and they seem awfully like properties
[Armstrong]
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8530
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Change of temperature in objects is quite independent of the predicates 'hot' and 'cold'
[Armstrong]
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8536
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We want to know what constituents of objects are grounds for the application of predicates
[Armstrong]
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8531
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In most sets there is no property common to all the members
[Armstrong]
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8537
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Tropes fall into classes, because exact similarity is symmetrical and transitive
[Armstrong]
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8538
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Trope theory needs extra commitments, to symmetry and non-transitivity, unless resemblance is exact
[Armstrong]
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8539
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Universals are required to give a satisfactory account of the laws of nature
[Armstrong]
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8540
|
The introduction of sparse properties avoids the regularity theory's problem with 'grue'
[Armstrong]
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8541
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Regularities theories are poor on causal connections, counterfactuals and probability
[Armstrong]
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15754
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Without properties we would be unable to express the laws of nature
[Armstrong]
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15753
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Essences might support Resemblance Nominalism, but they are too coarse and ill-defined
[Armstrong]
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