Full Idea
We understand a defined object (what it is) through the objects on which it depends.
Gist of Idea
We understand things through their dependency relations
Source
Kit Fine (Ontological Dependence [1995], II)
Book Reference
-: 'Aristotelian Society' [], p.275
A Reaction
This places dependency relations right at the heart of our understanding of the world, and hence shifts traditional metaphysics away from existence and identity. The notion of explanation is missing from Fine's account.
Related Idea
Idea 14250 Metaphysics deals with the existence of things and with the nature of things [Fine,K]