Ontic structural realism as a metaphysics of objects

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_58D284AFD823
Type
A part of a book
Publication sub-type
Chapter: chapter ou part
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Ontic structural realism as a metaphysics of objects
Title of the book
Scientific structuralism
Author(s)
Esfeld M., Lam V.
Publisher
Springer
Address of publication
Dordrecht
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2011
Editor
Bokulich A., Bokulich P.
Chapter
8
Pages
143-159
Language
english
Abstract
The paper spells out five different accounts of the relationship between objects and relations three of which are versions of ontic structural realism (OSR). We argue that the distinction between objects and properties, including relations, is merely a conceptual one by contrast to an ontological one: properties, including relations, are modes, that is the concrete, particular ways in which objects exist. We then set out moderate OSR as the view according to which irreducible relations are central ways in which the fundamental physical objects exist. Physical structures thus consist in objects for whom it is essential that they are related in certain ways. There hence are objects, but they do not possess an intrinsic identity. This view can also admit intrinsic properties as ways in which objects exist provided that these do not amount to identity conditions for the objects. Finally, we indicate how this view can take objective modality into account.
Create date
06/04/2011 15:23
Last modification date
23/03/2022 7:34
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