Realization relations in metaphysics

Baysan, U. (2015) Realization relations in metaphysics. Minds and Machines, 25(3), pp. 247-260. (doi: 10.1007/s11023-015-9366-x)

Abstract

“Realization” is a technical term that is used by metaphysicians, philosophers of mind, and philosophers of science to denote some dependence relation that is thought to obtain between higher-level properties and lower-level properties. It is said that mental properties are realized by physical properties; functional and computational properties are realized by first-order properties that occupy certain causal/functional roles; dispositional properties are realized by categorical properties; so on and so forth. Given this wide usage of the term “realization”, it would be right to think that there might be different dependence relations that this term denotes in different cases. Any relation that is aptly picked out by this term can be taken to be a realization relation. The aim of this state-of-the-field article is to introduce the central questions about the concept of realization, and provide formulations of a number of realization relations. In doing so, I identify some theoretical roles realization relations should play, and discuss some theories of realization in relation to these theoretical roles.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Baysan, Dr Emin
• Authors: Baysan, U.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Minds and Machines
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• ISSN: 0924-6495
• ISSN (Online): 1572-8641
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Springer Netherlands
• First Published: First published in Minds and Machines
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.