A note on analysing substancehood

Australasian Journal of Philosophy 85 (3):473 – 484 (2007)
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Abstract

I propose an analysis of the notion of a substance. I define two 'quasi-logical' independence relations, and state the analysis in terms of the distribution of these relations among substances and properties generally. This analysis treats the categories of substance and property as mutually dependent. To show that it (probably) states a sufficient condition for substance, I argue that it is in a certain kind of equilibrium. This illustrates a promising general approach to analysing fundamental metaphysical notions.

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David A. Denby
Tufts University

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References found in this work

Material Beings.Peter Van Inwagen - 1990 - Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press.
How to define theoretical terms.David Lewis - 1970 - Journal of Philosophy 67 (13):427-446.
Substance: Its Nature and Existence.Joshua Hoffman & Gary S. Rosenkrantz - 1996 - New York: Routledge. Edited by Gary S. Rosenkrantz.
The Nature of Universals and Propositions.George Frederick Stout - 1921 - London,: Published for the British Academy by Oxford University Press.

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