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Single Idea 16217

[from 'New work for a theory of universals' by David Lewis, in 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 5. Natural Properties ]

Full Idea

For Lewis natural properties are important for their role in making language and thought determinate: principles of charity or humanity tell us to attribute natural properties to predicates wherever possible, break underdetermination of their reference.

Gist of Idea

Lewisian natural properties fix reference of predicates, through a principle of charity

Source

report of David Lewis (New work for a theory of universals [1983]) by Katherine Hawley - How Things Persist 3.8

Book Reference

Hawley,Katherine: 'How Things Persist' [OUP 2004], p.98


A Reaction

Lewis always seems to find reasons in semantics or logic for his metaphysics, instead of in the science. Lewis ends up with 'folk' natural properties, instead of accurate ones.