A critical introduction to properties / Sophie Allen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Allen, Sophie (Philosophy Lecturer), author.

Series:

Bloomsbury critical introductions to contemporary metaphysics.

Bloomsbury critical introductions to contemporary metaphysics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Tropes (Philosophy).

Universals (Philosophy).

Whole and parts (Philosophy).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (239 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : Bloomsbury, 2016.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"What do blue things have in common? Or electrons? Or planets? Distinct things appear to share properties; but what are properties and what is the best philosophical account of them? A Critical Introduction to Properties introduces different ontological accounts of properties, exploring how their formulation is shaped by the explanatory demands placed upon them. This accessible introduction begins with a discussion of universals, tropes, sets and resemblance classes, the major objections to them and their responses, providing readers with a firm grasp on the competing ontological accounts of what (if anything) grounds similarity and difference. It then explores issues concerning the formulation and justification of property theories such as: how many properties are there? Should we accept a sparse ontology of properties, or an abundant one? Can we make a distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic properties? Do properties have their causal roles necessarily? What is the relationship between properties and other metaphysical phenomena such as causality, laws and modality? These questions get to the heart of why a coherent theory of properties is so important to metaphysics, and to philosophy more generally. By concluding with the question of the ontological status of properties, the reader is introduced to some Carnapian and contemporary themes about the content and methodology of metaphysics. For students looking for an accessible resource and a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary metaphysics, A Critical Introduction to Properties is a valuable starting point."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

Contents:

1. Introduction

PART I: QUESTIONS OF ONTOLOGY. 2. Universals ; 3. Tropes ; 4. Properties as Sets ; 5. Resemblance Classes ; 6. Properties as Ungrounded Entities

PART II: DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS OF PROPERTIES:WHICH PROPERTIES ARE THERE, AND WHAT CAN THEY DO? 7. Properties at Work ; 8. Are Properties Sparse or Abundant? ; 9. The Ontological Status of Properties

Conclusion

Glossary

References

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781472575586

147257558X

9781474276979

1474276970

9781472575579

1472575571

OCLC:

927169022