metaproperties

Metaproperties are properties that apply to other properties or to the way properties are described, rather than properties of concrete objects themselves. In philosophy and related disciplines, metaproperties are second-order or higher-order characteristics used to classify, analyze, or evaluate first-order properties. Examples include simplicity, generality, intrinsic versus extrinsic character, dispositional versus categorical nature, and invariance under certain transformations. These metaproperties help philosophers discuss how useful, robust, or informative a property is for theoretical purposes.

The study of metaproperties sits alongside first-order properties (such as red, round, or conductive) and second-order predicates that attribute further properties to those first-order properties. Distinguishing metaproperties from ordinary properties can aid in debates about fundamentality, reducibility, and theory choice. For instance, a property might be considered valuable not because of what objects exhibit (its first-order features) but because it has high explanatory power or broad scope—a metaproperty used to assess theories or models.

Common metaproperties discussed in philosophy of science and metaphysics include:

- Simplicity: how easy it is to specify or define the property or theory.

- Generality or scope: how widely the property or theory applies.

- Invariance: stability under transformations or different contexts.

- Intrinsicness: whether the property is internal to the object or depends on external factors.

- Explanatory and predictive power: usefulness for accounting for phenomena or making accurate predictions.

In practice, metaproperties are often employed to compare theories, select research programs, or organize ontologies. They can be conceptually useful but may raise questions about circularity or subjectivity in how such higher-level criteria are chosen and justified.