Single Idea 8568

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 2. Need for Properties]

Full Idea

Being a constituent of probabilistic laws of nature is all there is to being a property. There is no more to temperature than the thermodynamics and other laws they occur in.

Gist of Idea

A property is merely a constituent of laws of nature; temperature is just part of thermodynamics

Source

D.H. Mellor (Properties and Predicates [1991], 'Props')

Book Reference

'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.260


A Reaction

How could thermodynamics be worked out without a prior concept of temperature? I think it is at least plausible to deny that there are any 'laws' of nature. But even Quine can't deny that some things are too hot to touch.