It is not necessary to know all of an entities qualities, characteristics, and attributes to know that it has them and that it has a particular nature.
OK, Hank. Tell me what, then, are "qualities, characteristics, and attributes." Can we discern such in entities without a principle by which they may be identified, recognized? A principle that is not itself physical?
I think you are trying to derive the idea of "nature" from the study of "entity," so as to avoid dealing with issues of the supernatural (in the literal sense); or as Grandpierre puts it, the "spiritual."
You're kidding.
Can we discern such in entities without a principle by which they may be identified, recognized? A principle that is not itself physical?
To "discern" anything (not sure what you mean by "such entities," since what I said applies to any entities) requires no principles at all. My kitty discerns all sorts of things and has never had a principle in her life. (Nevertheless I love the unprincipled thing.)
So, frankly, I am not sure what you are asking. Identification, for example, is not the same is "discerning" in the normal sense of the word. Identification is a conceptual process by which things are differentiated from all other things. That differentiation is by virtue of a things qualities, however.
I think you are trying to derive the idea of "nature" from the study of "entity," so as to avoid dealing with issues of the supernatural (in the literal sense); or as Grandpierre puts it, the "spiritual."
My use of the word "nature" to mean no more than what a thing's qualities, characteristics, and attributes are is the common meaning of the word, when used about entities. I have no idea how that can be an evasion of anything.
Rocks have a certain nature. What is that nature? They are hard usually randomly shaped innaimate objects comprised of minerals, found in all parts of the world. How did we desribe the "nature" of rocks. By listing a rock's qualities and attributes.
Trees have a certain nature. What is that nature? They are living organism of the plant family, growing higher than most other plants, usually with one central supporting "trunk" with roots at one end to gather nourishment from the earth and leaves or needles at the other end to carry out photosynthesis. How do we describe the "nature" of trees? By listing a tree's qualities and attributes.
Is this all there is to know about rocks and trees? No. Are there other things about the nature of rocks and trees to know? Of course. But as much as is listed is nevertheless true of the nature of those things.
I do not know what your objection to this is.
Hank