Full Idea
When Aristotle uses the word 'dunamis' in the active sense, we might prefer the translation 'power', 'ability', or 'capacity' to 'potentiality'. He uses the same word to indicate both active power and passive responsiveness.
Gist of Idea
Active 'dunamis' is best translated as 'power' or 'ability' (rather than 'potentiality')
Source
report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], Theta) by Mary Louise Gill - Aristotle on Substance Ch.6
Book Reference
Gill,Mary Louise: 'Aristotle on Substance: Paradox of Unity' [Princeton 1989], p.173
A Reaction
This gives licence to a direct link between Aristotle's account of potential and modern ascriptions of powers in scientific essentialism.
Related Idea
Idea 16113 Potentiality is a principle of change, in another thing, or as another thing [Aristotle]