Single Idea 14931

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / A. Relations / 3. Structural Relations]

Full Idea

Is the main metaphysical idea we propose (of existent structures that are not composed out of more basic entities) any more obscure or bizarre than the instantiation relation in the theory of universals?

Gist of Idea

That there are existent structures not made of entities is no stranger than the theory of universals

Source

J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 3.5)

Book Reference

Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.155


A Reaction

No, it is not more bizarre than that, but that isn't much of a reason to believe their theory. See Idea 8699, and many ideas about structure in mathematics. Ladyman and Ross still smack of platonism, even if they are rooted in particle physics.

Related Ideas

Idea 8699 Are structures 'ante rem' (before reality), or are they 'in re' (grounded in physics)? [Friend]

Idea 20731 The idea that everything is relations is contradictory; relations are part of the concept of things [Colvin]