Single Idea 14255

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 5. Aims of Philosophy / c. Philosophy as generalisation]

Full Idea

We understand a defined object (what it is) through the objects on which it depends.

Gist of Idea

We understand things through their dependency relations

Source

Kit Fine (Ontological Dependence [1995], II)

Book Reference

-: 'Aristotelian Society' [], p.275


A Reaction

This places dependency relations right at the heart of our understanding of the world, and hence shifts traditional metaphysics away from existence and identity. The notion of explanation is missing from Fine's account.

Related Idea

Idea 14250 Metaphysics deals with the existence of things and with the nature of things [Fine,K]