more from Jaegwon Kim

Single Idea 2320

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 7. Emergent Properties]

Full Idea

Macroproperties can, and in general do, have their own causal powers, powers that go beyond the causal powers of their microconstituents.

Clarification

E.g. frozen water molecules being slippery

Gist of Idea

Properties can have causal powers lacked by their constituents

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Mind in a Physical World [1998], §3 p.085)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Mind in the Physical World' [MIT 2000], p.85


A Reaction

I don't see why the macro-powers 'go beyond' the sum of the micro-powers. Admittedly one molecule can't be slippery, but slipperiness can be totally reduced to molecule behaviour.