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Single Idea 21344

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

Full Idea

A simple way to think about internal relations is: if R internally relates a and b, then, if you have a and b, you thereby have R. If you have six and you have five, you thereby have six's being greater than five.

Gist of Idea

If R internally relates a and b, and you have a and b, you thereby have R

Source

John Heil (Relations [2009], 'External')

A Reaction

This seems to work a lot better for abstracta than for physical objects, where I am struggling to think of a parallel example. Parenthood? Temporal relations between things? Acorn and oak?

Book Reference

'Routledge Companion to Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin/Simons etc [Routledge 2012], p.314

Related Idea

Idea 21351 Truthmaking is a clear example of an internal relation [Heil]