Full Idea
It seems that human beings not only have variable dispositional properties, as most complex systems have, but also meta-powers: powers to change their own dispositional properties.
Clarification
'Meta-powers' are powers over other powers
Gist of Idea
Humans have variable dispositions, and also power to change their dispositions
Source
Brian Ellis (The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism [2002], Ch.7)
Book Reference
Ellis,Brian: 'The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism' [Acumen 2002], p.143
A Reaction
This seems to me a key to how we act, and also to morality. 'What dispositions do you want to have?' is the central question of virtue theory. Humans are essentially multi-level thinkers. Irony is the window into the soul.