more from J Ladyman / D Ross

Single Idea 14932

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 5. Natural Properties]

Full Idea

Causal essentialism is the doctrine that the causal relations that properties bear to other properties exhaust their natures.

Gist of Idea

Causal essentialism says properties are nothing but causal relations

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.5 n50)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.156


A Reaction

[They cite Shoemaker, Mumford and Bird for this] Personally I don't see this view as offering relations as fundamental. The whole point is to explain everything. The only plausible primitive notion is of a power - which then generates the relations.