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Metaphysics --- Tropes (Philosophy) --- Abstract particulars (Philosophy) --- Particular properties (Philosophy) --- Particulars, Abstract (Philosophy) --- Properties, Particular (Philosophy) --- Ontology

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Although the subject matter of this Element is properties, do not expect in-depth introductions to the various views on properties 'on the market'. Instead, here that subject matter is treated meta-philosophically. Rather than ask and try to answer a question like do properties exist? this Element asks what reasons one might have for thinking that properties exist (what problem properties, if they exist, are there to solve), what counts as solving that (or those) problems (including what counts as 'a property'), as well as how we ought to proceed when trying to find out if properties exist (by which method this ought to be decided). As it turns out, these questions and their answers are all intricately intertwined. Theory comparison and theory evaluation is in other words (and perhaps not that surprisingly) tricky. Do properties exist? After reading this Element all we can say is therefore this: that depends.

Tropes (Philosophy) --- Metaphysics. --- Philosophy --- God --- Ontology --- Philosophy of mind --- Abstract particulars (Philosophy) --- Particular properties (Philosophy) --- Particulars, Abstract (Philosophy) --- Properties, Particular (Philosophy)

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"What do blue things have in common? Or electrons? Or planets? Distinct things appear to share properties; but what are properties and what is the best philosophical account of them? A Critical Introduction to Properties introduces different ontological accounts of properties, exploring how their formulation is shaped by the explanatory demands placed upon them. This accessible introduction begins with a discussion of universals, tropes, sets and resemblance classes, the major objections to them and their responses, providing readers with a firm grasp on the competing ontological accounts of what (if anything) grounds similarity and difference. It then explores issues concerning the formulation and justification of property theories such as: how many properties are there? Should we accept a sparse ontology of properties, or an abundant one? Can we make a distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic properties? Do properties have their causal roles necessarily? What is the relationship between properties and other metaphysical phenomena such as causality, laws and modality? These questions get to the heart of why a coherent theory of properties is so important to metaphysics, and to philosophy more generally. By concluding with the question of the ontological status of properties, the reader is introduced to some Carnapian and contemporary themes about the content and methodology of metaphysics. For students looking for an accessible resource and a more comprehensive understanding of contemporary metaphysics, A Critical Introduction to Properties is a valuable starting point."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

Whole and parts (Philosophy) --- Ganzheit (Philosophy) --- Mereology --- Totality (Philosophy) --- Unity (Philosophy) --- Wholeness --- Categories (Philosophy) --- Tropes (Philosophy) --- Universals (Philosophy) --- Universals (Logic) --- Knowledge, Theory of --- Logic --- Philosophy --- Scholasticism --- Abstract particulars (Philosophy) --- Particular properties (Philosophy) --- Particulars, Abstract (Philosophy) --- Properties, Particular (Philosophy) --- Ontology