Material Objects and Essential Bundle Theory

Philosophical Studies 175 (12):2969-2986 (2018)
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Abstract

In this paper we present a new metaphysical theory of material objects. On our theory, objects are bundles of property instances, where those properties give the nature or essence of that object. We call the theory essential bundle theory. Property possession is not analysed as bundle-membership, as in traditional bundle theories, since accidental properties are not included in the object’s bundle. We have a different story to tell about accidental property possession. This move reaps many benefits. Essential bundle theory delivers a simple theory of the essential properties of material objects; an explanation of how object coincidence can arise; an actual-world ground for modal differences between coincident objects; a simple story about intrinsic properties; and a plausible account of certain ubiquitous cases of causal overdetermination.

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Author Profiles

Stephen Barker
Nottingham University
Mark Jago
Nottingham University

Citations of this work

Ordinary objects.Daniel Z. Korman - 2011 - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
A Bundle Theory of Words.J. T. M. Miller - 2021 - Synthese 198 (6):5731–5748.
Knowing how things might have been.Mark Jago - 2018 - Synthese 198 (S8):1981-1999.
Essential bundle theory and modality.Mark Jago - 2018 - Synthese 198 (S6):1439-1454.

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On the Plurality of Worlds.David K. Lewis - 1986 - Malden, Mass.: Wiley-Blackwell.
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Four Dimensionalism.Theodore Sider - 1997 - Philosophical Review 106 (2):197-231.
Four Dimensionalism: An Ontology of Persistence and Time.Theodore Sider - 2004 - Philosophy and Phenomenological Research 68 (3):642-647.

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