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The Nature of Properties: Causal Essentialism and Quidditism
Author(s) -
Wang Jennifer
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
philosophy compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.973
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 1747-9991
DOI - 10.1111/phc3.12307
Subject(s) - essentialism , epistemology , causal model , causal structure , psychology , philosophy , social psychology , mathematics , physics , statistics , quantum mechanics
Properties seem to play an important role in causal relations. But philosophers disagree over whether or not properties play their causal or nomic roles essentially. Causal essentialists say that they do, while quidditists deny it. This article surveys these two views, as well as views that try to find a middle ground.