Bundle theory

The bundle theory (English: bundle theory, sheaf theory ) is one marked by the Empiricism ontological theory that denies the existence of ontological substrates or substances as carriers of properties or as the cause of sensory perceptions. Instead, empirical objects themselves are constituted by bundles of properties or relational relationships with each other as well as potential subjects of experience, according to the bundle theory.

Representation

What is commonly referred to as " substances " are according to the bundle theory in truth complex bundle of property individuals ( abstract Partikularien ), which are held together by binder ratios. An early precursor of such idealistic views is David Hume, in which " impressions " and " ideas" by spatio-temporal contact ( contiguity ), similarity and causality are linked together to form a body or ego.

These binding ratios initially heard that the individual properties that make up a bundle, occur together, ie " co-present " ( compresent ) are. That these properties with other properties can occur together, doing according to their interpretation of the bundle theory of contingency.

The background of the bundle theory is the empirical endeavor, according to Ockham's principle of economy entities that are not empirically accessible, to avoid as much as possible. From the empiricist point of view in the performance of the concrete everyday things we take only certain properties (color, shape, size, composition ) was. Problems are doing the bundle theory, especially the temporal aspect of everyday things: to what extent one can speak of the same concrete thing, if this is nothing more than the bundle of its properties and these properties change over time?

The bundle theory is often linked to the adoption of tropes, which assumes that features can be realized as a singular, numerically various properties (the green color of a certain pea and my sweater are 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 each of the pea and the sweater).

Problems

One problem with this theory is that it it provides no criterion for determining which properties can be bundled into an individual and which are not. Furthermore, it is criticized that after the bundle theory, the propositional form "F (x)", after something is predicated of something that can not be understood because ultimately it was only predicates in it.