Ideas from 'Substance' by David Wiggins [1995], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject' (ed/tr Grayling,A.C.) [OUP 1995,0-19-875157-5]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     expand these ideas

---

8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 4. Formal Relations / c. Ancestral relation

12056

An ancestral relation is either direct or transitively indirect

8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 4. Powers as Essence

12050

Substances contain a source of change or principle of activity

9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / e. Individuation by kind

12055

Sortal predications are answers to the question 'what is x?'

12059

A river may change constantly, but not in respect of being a river

12052

We never single out just 'this', but always 'this something-or-other'

12063

Sortal classification becomes science, with cross reference clarifying individuals

12051

If the kinds are divided realistically, they fall into substances

12053

'Human being' is a better answer to 'what is it?' than 'poet', as the latter comes in degrees

12054

Secondary substances correctly divide primary substances by activity-principles and relations

9. Objects / B. Unity of Objects / 2. Substance / d. Substance defined

12047

We refer to persisting substances, in perception and in thought, and they aid understanding

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 3. Matter of an Object

12057

Matter underlies things, composes things, and brings them to be

14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence

12064

The category of substance is more important for epistemology than for ontology

12049

Naming the secondary substance provides a mass of general information

15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 4. Objectification

12065

Seeing a group of soldiers as an army is irresistible, in ontology and explanation