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Single Idea 8586

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

Full Idea

One thing that makes for naturalness of a property is that it is a property belonging exclusively to well-demarcated things (like my cat Bruce, who is a locus of causal chains).

Gist of Idea

Natural properties tend to belong to well-demarcated things, typically loci of causal chains

Source

David Lewis (New work for a theory of universals [1983], 'Cont of L')

Book Reference

'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.221


A Reaction

Compare Idea 8557. Well-demarcated things may also have gerrymandered properties that are parts of 'arbitrary Boolean compounds' (Lewis). Why not make use of the causal chains to identify the properties?

Related Idea

Idea 8557 To ascertain genuine properties, examine the object directly [Shoemaker]