Bundle theory

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The bundle theory (English: bundle theory , sheaf theory ) is an ontological theory shaped by empiricism , which denies the existence of ontological substrates or substances as carriers of properties or as causers of sensory perceptions. Instead, according to bundle theory, empirical objects are themselves constituted by bundles of properties or relational relationships with one another and with possible subjects of experience.

presentation

According to the bundle theory, what is commonly referred to as “ substances ” are in truth complex bundles of individual properties (abstract particulars) that are held together by binding relations. An early idealistic forerunner of such views is David Hume , in which "impressions" and "ideas" are linked to one another to form a body or an ego through spatio-temporal contact (contiguity), similarity and causality.

Belongs initially to these binding relationships that the individual features that make a bundle, appear together, or "co-present" ( compresent ) are. According to the interpretation of the bundle theory, the fact that these properties can also occur together with other properties constitutes their contingency .

The background of the bundle theory is the empirical endeavor, according to Ockham's principle of economy , to avoid entities that are empirically inaccessible as far as possible. From an empirical point of view, when we perceive concrete everyday things, we only perceive certain properties (color, shape, dimensions, composition). The problem of bundle theory is above all the temporal aspect of everyday things: To what extent can one speak of the same concrete thing if it is nothing other than the bundle of its properties and these properties change over time?

The bundle theory is often linked to the assumption of tropics , which assumes that properties are realized as singular, numerically different properties (the green color of a very specific pea and that of my sweater are each two numerically different properties). But there are also bundle theorists who adhere to a realistic position (one and the same green color is instantiated in the pea and in the sweater).

Problems

A problem with this theory is that it does not provide a criterion for which properties can be bundled into an individual and which cannot. Furthermore, it is criticized that, according to the bundle theory, the sentence form “F (x)”, according to which something is said about something, cannot be understood because it ultimately only contains predicates.

literature

Introductory Articles

  • S. Candlish: Mind, Bundle Theory of. REP VI, 1998, pp. 382-385.
  • A. Casullo: Bundle Theory. In: R. Audi (Ed.): The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. Cambridge 1995/1999, p. 107.
  • Edmund Runggaldier , Christian Kanzian: Basic problems of analytical ontology . Schöningh, Paderborn 1998, ISBN 3-506-99493-X , pp. 117-135.
  • Pirmin Stekeler-Weithofer : Bundle Theory . In: Jürgen Mittelstraß (Hrsg.): Encyclopedia Philosophy and Philosophy of Science. 2nd Edition. Vol. 1, 2005, ISBN 3-476-01372-3 , pp. 548-550.

Books

  • GE Bredon: Sheaf Theory. New York 1967, 2nd edition. 1997.
  • JA Lees: Notes on Bundle Theory. Aarhus 1974.
  • M. Kashiwara: Sheaves on Manifolds. Berlin / New York 1990.
  • RG Swan: The Theory of Sheaves. Chicago III. 1964, 1968.
  • BR Tennison: Sheaf Theory. Cambridge / London / New York 1975.

Essays

  • SL Anderson: The Substantive Center Theory Versus the Bundle Theory. In: Monist. 61: 96-108 (1978).
  • R. Aquila: Mental Particulars, Mental Events, and the Bundle Theory. In: Can. J. Philos. 9: 109-120 (1979).
  • D. Brooks: Hume's Bundle Theory of the Mind. In: South African J. Philos. 4: 75-84 (1985).
  • A. Casullo: A Fourth Version of the Bundle Theory. In: Philos. Stud. 54 (1988), pp. 125-139.
  • RW Clark: The Bundle Theory of Substance. In: New Scholasticism. 50: 490-503 (1976).
  • MP Fourman, CJ Mulvey, DS Scott (Eds.): Applications of Sheaves. Proceedings of the Research Symposium on Applications of Sheaf Theory to Logic, Algebra, and Analysis, Durham July 1977. Springer, Berlin / New York 1979, ISBN 3-540-09564-0 .
  • M. Glouberman: A Stratified Bundle Theory. In: Synthesis. 42: 379-410 (1979).
  • K. Gyekye: An Examination of the Bundle Theory of Substance. In: Philos. Phenomena. Res. 34: 51-61 (1973).
  • C. Hughes: Bundle Theory from A to B. In: Mind. 108: 149-156 (1999).
  • CS Johnson: Hume's Theory of Moral Responsibility. Some Unresolved Matters. In: Dialogue. 31 (1992), pp. 3-18.
  • M. Losonsky: Individuation and the Bundle Theory. In: Philos. Stud. 52 (1987), pp. 191-198.
  • AT Nuyen: The Fragility of the Self. From Bundle Theory to Deconstruction. In: J. Speculative Philos. 6, pp. 111-122 (1992).
  • LN Oaklander: The Bundle Theory of Substance. In: New Scholasticism. 52: 91-96 (1978).
  • J. O'Leary-Hawthorne: The Bundle Theory of Substance and the Identity of Indiscernibles. In: Analysis. 55: 191-196 (1995).
  • F. Orilia: Van Cleve, the Bundle Theory and Guise Theory. In: Interpretation. 12 (1986), pp. 174-184.
  • N. Pike: Hume's Bundle Theory of the Self. A limited defense. In: Amer. Philos. Quart. 4, pp. 159-165 (1967).
  • J. Van Cleve: Three Versions of the Bundle Theory. In: Philos. Stud. 47 (1985), pp. 95-107.
  • DW Zimmerman: Distinct Indiscernibles and the Bundle Theory. (PDF; 26 kB), In: Min. 106, pp. 305-309 (1997).

Web links

Remarks

  1. ↑ David Hume: A Treatise of Human Nature. ed. by DGC Macnabb. 7th edition. Volume 1, Fontana / Collins, Glasgow 1987, ISBN 0-00-632909-8 .
  2. ↑ Cf. Godehard Brüntrup : Theoretical Philosophy. Complete Media, 2011, ISBN 978-3-8312-0380-2 , p. 48f.