The Ontological Status Of Properties Essay - 2099 Words

In recent times, the discussion regarding the ontological status of properties has been imbued with renewed interest. Indeed, one’s understanding of properties has significant implications and consequences on their metaphysics of philosophy of the mind. In this essay, I will largely bypass the debates disputing the realness of properties altogether, and instead focus on trying to find a satisfying conception of properties. The reason is twofold: 1) I would like to entertain accounts of property realism that do not suppose properties to be universals; and 2) objections against properties as universals fail to offer adequate alternatives. First, I will provide a traditional account of properties as universals, and the objections against properties due to this characterization, as well as some simple rebuttals against the objections. Then, I will discuss some stances regarding the nature of properties, mainly property minimalism and maximalism, and provide my personal interpretat ions towards them. I hope to show that although properties as universals can be problematic, the alternative of constructing them as particulars has issues of its own. Defining Properties as Universals Properties, sometimes characterized as universals, are thought to exemplify the â€Å"relations of qualitative identity and resemblance among individuals†. In other words, the common quality which unites particulars would be a property shared amongst them. Those who argue in favour of properties usually do soShow MoreRelatedCan Realism Offer A Plausible Response?1677 Words   |  7 PagesBradley’s Regress? Abstract. Both Baxter (2001) and Armstrong (2004) have advanced moderate realist theories of partial identity in order to overcome a version of Bradley’s regress as it arises concerning relations between particulars and their properties. 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