Single Idea 18372

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 2. Need for Properties]

Full Idea

The 'thing itself' seems not be a minimal truthmaker for the thing having its particular mass. ...The thing has a great many other properties. ...It seems entirely reasonable to postulate that the object has properties that are objectively there.

Gist of Idea

We need properties, as minimal truthmakers for the truths about objects

Source

David M. Armstrong (Truth and Truthmakers [2004], 04.2)

Book Reference

Armstrong,D.M.: 'Truth and Truthmakers' [CUP 2004], p.41


A Reaction

This is Armstrong using the truthmaker principle to argue for the existence of properties (as instantiated universals). I like truthmakers, but truths do not have enough precision in their parts for us to read off reality from them.