Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Stephen Wolfram, S.Mumford/R.Lill Anjum and Nicholas Hill

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2 ideas

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 1. Structure of an Object

14535	Pandispositionalists say structures are clusters of causal powers [Mumford/Anjum]
	Full Idea: A pandispositionalist has to defend the view that even a property such as sphericity is in reality a cluster of causal powers.
	From: S.Mumford/R.Lill Anjum (Getting Causes from Powers [2011], 1.1)
	A reaction: Is sphericity even a 'property'? I think 'feature' might be the best word for it. 'Quality' is quite good, but is too suggestive of qualia and secondary qualities. 'Mode' is not bad. Things have 'modes of existence' and 'powers'? Powers create modes.

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / b. Form as principle

16640	Form is the principle that connects a thing's constitution (rather than being operative) [Hill,N]
	Full Idea: Form is the state and condition of a thing, a result of the connection among its material principles; it is a constituting principle, not an operative one.
	From: Nicholas Hill (Philosophia Epicurea [1610], n 35)
	A reaction: Pasnau presents this as a denial of form, but it looks to me like someone fishing for what form could be in a more scientific context. Aristotle would have approved of 'principles'. Hill seems to defend the categorical against the dispositional.