The metaphysics of properties and relations

Thesis

This thesis defends heterodox views on central topics in the metaphysics of properties and relations. The first four chapters develop stances on traditional problems. One is the relation regress, which derives from the intuitive view that related things are related because they instantiate a relation. Chapter 1 argues that no extant solution to the regress is adequate. The next two chapters turn to questions that figure in both contemporary and ancient discussions. Chapter 2 considers the question whether properties are either immanent or transcendent and defends a third view: not all properties are immanent, although some may be and others not. Chapter 3 argues that three prominent accounts of the universal-particular distinction associated with Plato and Aristotle are inadequate. Chapter 4 approaches the metaphysics of properties from the perspective of their relation to objects. I reject the commonly held view that properties are constituents of their bearers and raise further arguments against two theories of objects that assume it: substratum theory and bundle theory. The remaining chapters revisit themes from the earlier metaphysical chapters in the context of higher-order logic. In response to the Russellian paradox for properties, Chapter 5 defends a view I call ‘higher-order nominalism’, which says that generalisations involving properties and relations ought to be formalised using higher-order quantification into predicate position. The view denies a tacit assumption of most contemporary work in the metaphysics of properties and relations – that properties and relations are things, in the Fregean sense that they lie in the range of the first-order quantifiers. Chapter 6 develops the implications of this paradigm shift for two earlier topics: the immanence-transcendence debate and the universal-particular distinction. In contrast to existing views, I argue that higher-order logic does not solve these issues. Finally, Chapter 7 argues that some higher-order quantification is expressible in English.

Authors: Hong, K

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-erwq17ddk
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: metaphysics; higher-order metaphysics; properties; higher-order logic; relations
• Subjects: Logic; Metaphysics