Single Idea 10493

[catalogued under 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 7. Abstract/Concrete / a. Abstract/concrete]

Full Idea

It is said that concrete objects have causal powers while abstract ones do not, or that concrete objects exist in space and time while abstract ones do not, but these categories seem crude and inappropriate for modern physics.

Gist of Idea

If concrete is spatio-temporal and causal, and abstract isn't, the distinction doesn't suit physics

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.6)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.160


A Reaction

I don't find this convincing. He gives example of peculiar causation, but I don't believe modern physics proposes any entities which are totally acausal and non-spatiotemporal. Maybe the distinction needs a defence.