Single Idea 5458

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 6. Dispositions / a. Dispositions]

Full Idea

With few, if any, exceptions, the fundamental properties of physical theory are dispositional properties of the things that have them.

Clarification

'Dispositions' are tendencies to behave in a certain way

Gist of Idea

Nearly all fundamental properties of physics are dispositional

Source

Brian Ellis (The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism [2002], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism' [Acumen 2002], p.47


A Reaction

He is denying that they are passive (as Locke saw primary qualities), and says they are actively causal, or else capacities or propensities. Sounds right to me.