more from Sydney Shoemaker

Single Idea 8550

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 5. Class Nominalism]

Full Idea

It is natural to say that 'being triangular' and 'being trilateral', though necessarily coextensive, are different properties. But what are distinct are the concepts and meanings. If properties are not meanings of predicates, these are identical.

Gist of Idea

Triangular and trilateral are coextensive, but different concepts; but powers and properties are the same

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §04)

Book Reference

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.214


A Reaction

A good test example. Being renate (kidney) and being cordate (heart) are different, because being cordate produces a thumping noise. Shoemaker's example is pretty much Phosphorus/Hesperus.