Single Idea 5992

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 6. Criterion for Existence]

Full Idea

Chrysippus regarded power to act and be acted upon as the criterion for existence or being - a test satisfied by bodies alone.

Gist of Idea

Chrysippus says action is the criterion for existence, which must be physical

Source

report of Chrysippus (fragments/reports [c.240 BCE]) by Teun L. Tieleman - Chrysippus

Book Reference

'Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy', ed/tr. Zeyl,Donald J. [Fitzroy Dearborn 1997], p.138


A Reaction

This defines existence in terms of causation. Is he ruling out a priori a particle (say) which exists, but never interacts with anything? If so, he is inclining towards anti-realism.