Single Idea 9783

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 11. Properties as Sets]

Full Idea

Attributes and classes are said to be distinguished by the fact that whereas no two classes coincide in membership, there are supposed to be distinct but coextensive attributes.

Gist of Idea

While no two classes coincide in membership, there are distinct but coextensive attributes

Source

Richard Cartwright (Classes and Attributes [1967], §2)

Book Reference

Cartwright,Richard: 'Philosophical Essays' [MIT 1987], p.161


A Reaction

This spells out the standard problem of renates and cordates, that creatures with hearts and with kidneys are precisely coextensive, but that these properties are different. Cartwright then attacks the distinction.