Single Idea 14313

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 5. Powers and Properties]

Full Idea

It seems that every property must be a causal power, since every property must be causally potent (as a necessary condition of its very existence).

Gist of Idea

All properties must be causal powers (since they wouldn't exist otherwise)

Source

Stephen Mumford (Dispositions [1998], 04.7)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Dispositions' [OUP 1998], p.84


A Reaction

Mumford cautiously endorses this idea, which seems to rest on the thesis that 'to exist is to have causal powers'. I think I am even keener on it than Mumford is. Powers and properties need to be disentangled, however.

Related Idea

Idea 3534 To be is to have causal powers [Alexander,S]