Material objects and essential bundle theory
In this paper we present a new metaphysical theory of material objects. On our theory, objects are bundles of property instances, where those properties give the nature or essence of that object. We call the theory essential bundle theory. Property possession is not analysed as bundle-membership, as...
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| Format: | Article |
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Springer
2017
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47265/ |
| _version_ | 1848797503696142336 |
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| author | Barker, Stephen Jago, Mark |
| author_facet | Barker, Stephen Jago, Mark |
| author_sort | Barker, Stephen |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | In this paper we present a new metaphysical theory of material objects. On our theory, objects are bundles of property instances, where those properties give the nature or essence of that object. We call the theory essential bundle theory. Property possession is not analysed as bundle-membership, as in traditional bundle theories, since accidental properties are not included in the object’s bundle. We have a different story to tell about accidental property possession. This move reaps many benefits. Essential bundle theory delivers a simple theory of the essential properties of material objects; an explanation of how object coincidence can arise; an actual-world ground for modal differences between coincident objects; a simple story about intrinsic properties; and a plausible account of certain ubiquitous cases of causal overdetermination. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:04:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-47265 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:04:55Z |
| publishDate | 2017 |
| publisher | Springer |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-472652020-05-04T19:10:15Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47265/ Material objects and essential bundle theory Barker, Stephen Jago, Mark In this paper we present a new metaphysical theory of material objects. On our theory, objects are bundles of property instances, where those properties give the nature or essence of that object. We call the theory essential bundle theory. Property possession is not analysed as bundle-membership, as in traditional bundle theories, since accidental properties are not included in the object’s bundle. We have a different story to tell about accidental property possession. This move reaps many benefits. Essential bundle theory delivers a simple theory of the essential properties of material objects; an explanation of how object coincidence can arise; an actual-world ground for modal differences between coincident objects; a simple story about intrinsic properties; and a plausible account of certain ubiquitous cases of causal overdetermination. Springer 2017-10-03 Article PeerReviewed Barker, Stephen and Jago, Mark (2017) Material objects and essential bundle theory. Philosophical Studies . ISSN 1573-0883 (In Press) Ontology; material objects; bundle theory; essence; nature |
| spellingShingle | Ontology; material objects; bundle theory; essence; nature Barker, Stephen Jago, Mark Material objects and essential bundle theory |
| title | Material objects and essential bundle theory |
| title_full | Material objects and essential bundle theory |
| title_fullStr | Material objects and essential bundle theory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Material objects and essential bundle theory |
| title_short | Material objects and essential bundle theory |
| title_sort | material objects and essential bundle theory |
| topic | Ontology; material objects; bundle theory; essence; nature |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/47265/ |