Ideas from 'Varieties of Ontological Dependence' by Kathrin Koslicki [2012], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Metaphysical Grounding' (ed/tr Correia,F/Schnieder,B) [CUP 2012,978-1-107-02289-8]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     expand these ideas

---

2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition

17311

Real definitions don't just single out a thing; they must also explain its essence

6. Mathematics / B. Foundations for Mathematics / 4. Axioms for Number / a. Axioms for numbers

17312

It is more explanatory if you show how a number is constructed from basic entities and relations

7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 1. Grounding / b. Relata of grounding

17314

The relata of grounding are propositions or facts, but for dependence it is objects and their features

9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 2. Types of Essence

17313

Modern views want essences just to individuate things across worlds and times

9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 4. Essence as Definition

17309

For Fine, essences are propositions true because of identity, so they are just real definitions

17315

We need a less propositional view of essence, and so must distinguish it clearly from real definitions

14. Science / D. Explanation / 1. Explanation / b. Aims of explanation

17317

A good explanation captures the real-world dependence among the phenomena

18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 3. Abstracta by Ignoring

17316

We can abstract to a dependent entity by blocking out features of its bearer