Single Idea 12682

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 6. Categorical Properties]

Full Idea

Essentialist metaphysics seem to require that there be at least two kinds of properties in nature: dispositional properties (causal powers, capacities and propensities), and categorical ones (spatiotemporal and numerical relations).

Gist of Idea

Essentialism needs categorical properties (spatiotemporal and numerical relations) and dispositions

Source

Brian Ellis (The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism [2009], 3)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism' [Acument 2009], p.63


A Reaction

At last someone tells us what a 'categorical' property is! Couldn't find it in Stanford! Bird and Molnar reject the categorical ones as true properties. If there are six cats, which cat has the property of being six? Which cat is 'three metres apart'?