Single Idea 15765

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties]

Full Idea

I should probably modify my view, and say that properties are individuated by their possible causes as well as by their possible effects.

Gist of Idea

Actually, properties are individuated by causes as well as effects

Source

Sydney Shoemaker (Causality and Properties [1980], §11)

Book Reference

Shoemaker,Sydney: 'Identity, Cause and Mind' [OUP 2003], p.233


A Reaction

(This is in an afterword responding to criticism by Richard Boyd) He doesn't use the word 'individuate' in the essay. That term always strikes me as smacking too much of epistemology, and not enough of ontology. Who cares how you individuate something?