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Single Idea 21342

[from 'External and Internal Relations' by G.E. Moore, in 8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 2. Internal Relations ]

Full Idea

Moore characterises internal relations modally, as those essential to their relata. If a and b are related R-wise, and R is an internal relation, a and b could not fail to be so related; otherwise R is external.

Gist of Idea

A relation is internal if two things possessing the relation could not fail to be related

Source

report of G.E. Moore (External and Internal Relations [1919]) by John Heil - Relations 'Internal'

Book Reference

'Routledge Companion to Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin/Simons etc [Routledge 2012], p.313


A Reaction

I don't think of Moore as an essentialist, but this fits the essentialist picture nicely, and is probably best paraphrased in terms of powers. Integers are the standard example of internal relations.