Abstract
Bundle theories identify material objects with bundles of properties. On the traditional approach, these are the properties possessed by that material object. That view faces a deep problem: it seems to say that all of an object’s properties are essential to it. Essential bundle theory attempts to overcome this objection, by taking the bundle as a specification of the object’s essential properties only. In this paper, I show that essential bundle theory faces a variant of the objection. To avoid the problem, the theory must accept the contingency of identity. I show how this can be achieved in a coherent and well-motivated way, a way that isn’t available to traditional bundle theories.
Highlights
What are material objects, metaphysically speaking? We might try to reduce them to some other metaphysical category of being
According to essential bundle theory, that bundle specifies the essence of the material object
My aim in this paper is to evaluate whether essential bundle theory genuinely escapes the problem
Summary
Metaphysically speaking? We might try to reduce them to some other metaphysical category of being. It’s far less clear that fundamental science has material objects as part of its ontology. Essential bundle theory (Barker and Jago 2017; Jago 2016) reduces material objects to bundles of properties, as any bundle theory does. According to essential bundle theory, that bundle specifies the essence of the material object. I’ll begin by setting up a version of the modal problem, as it affects traditional bundle theory I’ll show how a variant of the problem hits essential bundle theory Counterpart semantics has a very natural interpretation in terms of essential bundle theory I’ll briefly indicate how far this approach takes us towards a general analysis of modality within essential bundle theory I’ll briefly indicate how far this approach takes us towards a general analysis of modality within essential bundle theory (Sect. 8)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.