Ideas from 'The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism' by Brian Ellis [2009], by Theme Structure
[found in 'The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism' by Ellis,Brian [Acument 2009,1-902683-62-5]].
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1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 1. Nature of Metaphysics
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12667
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Metaphysics aims at the simplest explanation, without regard to testability
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5. Theory of Logic / A. Overview of Logic / 1. Overview of Logic
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12666
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We can base logic on acceptability, and abandon the Fregean account by truth-preservation
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6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 1. Foundations for Mathematics
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12688
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Mathematics is the formal study of the categorical dimensions of things
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7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 2. Processes
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12683
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Objects and substances are a subcategory of the natural kinds of processes
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7. Existence / B. Change in Existence / 4. Events / c. Reduction of events
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12670
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A physical event is any change of distribution of energy
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8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 5. Natural Properties
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12673
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Physical properties are those relevant to how a physical system might act
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8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 6. Categorical Properties
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12665
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I support categorical properties, although most people only want causal powers
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12682
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Essentialism needs categorical properties (spatiotemporal and numerical relations) and dispositions
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12684
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Spatial, temporal and numerical relations have causal roles, without being causal
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8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 11. Properties as Sets
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12672
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Properties and relations are discovered, so they can't be mere sets of individuals
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 2. Powers as Basic
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12676
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Causal powers can't rest on things which lack causal power
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties
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23781
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Categoricals exist to influence powers. Such as structures, orientations and magnitudes [Williams,NE]
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8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / b. Dispositions and powers
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12686
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Causal powers are a proper subset of the dispositional properties
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9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 1. Structure of an Object
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12685
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Categorical properties depend only on the structures they represent
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9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 5. Essence as Kind
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12679
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A real essence is a kind's distinctive properties
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10. Modality / A. Necessity / 5. Metaphysical Necessity
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12668
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Metaphysical necessity holds between things in the world and things they make true
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10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 1. Sources of Necessity
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12687
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Metaphysical necessities are those depending on the essential nature of things
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14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science
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12669
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Science aims to explain things, not just describe them
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26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 2. Defining Kinds
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12681
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There are natural kinds of processes
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26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 4. Source of Kinds
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12680
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Natural kind structures go right down to the bottom level
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26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 3. Laws and Generalities
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12675
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Laws of nature are just descriptions of how things are disposed to behave
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27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / c. Forces
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12671
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I deny forces as entities that intervene in causation, but are not themselves causal
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27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 2. Thermodynamics / a. Energy
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12674
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Energy is the key multi-valued property, vital to scientific realism
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27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / a. Absolute time
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12689
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Simultaneity can be temporal equidistance from the Big Bang
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27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / e. Present moment
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12690
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The present is the collapse of the light wavefront from the Big Bang
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