An argument for power inheritance

Baysan, U. (2016) An argument for power inheritance. Philosophical Quarterly, 66(263), pp. 383-390. (doi: 10.1093/pq/pqv126)

Abstract

Non-reductive physicalism is commonly understood as the view that mental properties are realized by physical properties. Here, I argue that the realization relation in question is a power inheritance relation: if a property P realizes a property Q, then the causal powers of Q are a subset of the causal powers of P. Whereas others have motivated this claim by appealing to its theoretical benefits, I argue that it is in fact entailed by two theses: (i) realization is a same-subject necessitation relation; (ii) properties have their causal powers derivatively on the causal powers of their bearers. Although the power inheritance claim that is defended here has many opponents, I take it that the two theses that entail it are either plausible or widely assumed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Scots Philosophical Association and the University of St Andrews.
• 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: Philosophical Quarterly
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 1467-9213
• ISSN (Online): 1467-9213
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Author
• First Published: First published in the Philosophical Quarterly 66(263): 383-390
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy