Question on substances (philosophy)

[Sammy Boy]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone has studied philosophy here and in particular, properties and substances?

The book I'm reading says that Fido (a brown dog) is a deeper unity of properties than a heap of salt.

It does not explicitly say why, but it does state that Fido has more properties (colour, parts, etc.) than the heap of salt. However, I am not sure if this is the reason for it being a deeper unity, hence I wanted to check this with someone.

Thanks in anticipation.

[CDLviking]

Coming from a Thomistic/Aristotelian view, I think it would be because of the animal's higher order of being. Inorganic material such as salt is at the very bottom of the order of being and has virtually no ability to maintain its being, and thus its accidental properties. Animals are about half way up the order of being and have more of an ability to maintain their being and all of their accidental properties that are contained within that being. That's the first thing that comes to mind without knowing the context or philosopher.

[Sammy Boy]

Thanks for that.

Okay, I guess I should have provided you with more information.

The authors are J. P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, and the book is "Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview".