Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Natural Kinds', 'The Realm of Matter' and 'Theory of Good and Evil'

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2 ideas

7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 6. Criterion for Existence

18521	The criterion of existence is the possibility of action [Santayana]
	Full Idea: The possibility of action ...is the criterion of existence, and the test of substantiality.
	From: George Santayana (The Realm of Matter [1930], p.107), quoted by John Heil - The Universe as We Find It
	A reaction: I rather like this. I think I would say the power is the criterion of existence.

7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 8. Stuff / a. Pure stuff

16939	Mass terms just concern spread, but other terms involve both spread and individuation [Quine]
	Full Idea: 'Yellow' and 'water' are mass terms, concerned only with spread; 'apple' and 'square' are terms of divided reference, concerned with both spread and individuation.
	From: Willard Quine (Natural Kinds [1969], p.124)
	A reaction: Would you like some apple? Pass me that water. It is helpful to see that it is a requirement of 'individuation' that is missing from terms for stuff.