The Four Category Ontology is popular PDF and ePub book, written by E. J. Lowe in 2006, it is a fantastic choice for those who relish reading online the Philosophy genre. Let's immerse ourselves in this engaging Philosophy book by exploring the summary and details provided below. Remember, The Four Category Ontology can be Read Online from any device for your convenience.
The Four Category Ontology Book PDF Summary
E. J. Lowe sets out and defends his theory of what there is. His four-category ontology is a metaphysical system that recognizes two fundamental categorial distinctions which cut across each other to generate four fundamental ontological categories. The distinctions are between the particular and the universal and between the substantial and the non-substantial. The four categories thus generated are substantial particulars, non-substantial particulars, substantial universals andnon-substantial universals. Non-substantial universals include properties and relations, conceived as universals. Non-substantial particulars include property-instances and relation-instances, otherwise known as non-relational and relational tropes or modes. Substantial particulars include propertiedindividuals, the paradigm examples of which are persisting, concrete objects. Substantial universals are otherwise known as substantial kinds and include as paradigm examples natural kinds of persisting objects.This ontology has a lengthy pedigree, many commentators attributing it to Aristotle on the basis of certain passages in his apparently early work, the Categories. At various times during the history of Western philosophy, it has been revived or rediscovered, but it has never found universal favour, perhaps on account of its apparent lack of parsimony as well as its commitment to universals. In pursuit of ontological economy, metaphysicians have generally preferred to recognize fewerthan four fundamental ontological categories. However, Occam's razor stipulates only that we should not multiply entities beyond necessity; Lowe argues that the four-category ontology has an explanatory power unrivalled by more parsimonious systems, and that this counts decisively in its favour. He shows thatit provides a powerful explanatory framework for a unified account of causation, dispositions, natural laws, natural necessity and many other related matters, such as the semantics of counterfactual conditionals and the character of the truthmaking relation. As such, it constitutes a thoroughgoing metaphysical foundation for natural science.
Detail Book of The Four Category Ontology PDF
- Author : E. J. Lowe
- Release : 21 September 2024
- Publisher : Oxford University Press
- ISBN : 9780199254392
- Genre : Philosophy
- Total Page : 237 pages
- Language : English
- PDF File Size : 20,9 Mb
If you're still pondering over how to secure a PDF or EPUB version of the book The Four Category Ontology by E. J. Lowe, don't worry! All you have to do is click the 'Get Book' buttons below to kick off your Download or Read Online journey. Just a friendly reminder: we don't upload or host the files ourselves.